With a whisper, Annie heard the Lord call her name, she answered the call after eighty-four years of life on this earth to go home and be with the Lord and all of her loved ones that has gone before her. She departed on Thursday, July 20, 2017. Annie was born on August 2, 1932 to the late Oscar Josephus Wise, Sr. and Mrs. Kate Rivers Wise. Annie was the wife of the late Joseph C. "Joe Ben" Gates. She attended Lexington School District 1, Lexington Rosenwald High School. Annie worked at pacific Mills in Columbia, South Carolina and Regal Mills in Lexington, South Carolina for many years and later was employed by the Lexington School District 1 at Lexington High School where she retired. Annie served on several Church Auxiliaries to include the Missionary Society, Senior Citizen Circle of friends, President of the Noon Day Prayer, Usher Board ministry and was a Stewardess Emeritus. With her melodious voice, she was a member of the Senior, Gospel, Mass, and the singing Usher Board Choirs. Annie was a member of the Auxiliary #217 and the Lexington County Recreation and Aging Commission Senior Citizen. Annie was preceded in death by her daughter, Joyce E. Gates; two brothers, Oscar Josephus Wise, Jr. and Richard Wise and one sister, Margret Black. Annie leaves to cherish her fond memories, six children: three sons, Marvin (Carolyn) Gates, Ezzard Gates, and Venev Gates, of Lexington, South Carolina; Three daughters, Debra Gates, Irmo, SC, Evangelist Claudietta Davis, and Leticia Gates of Lexington, SC. She has two sisters, Lillian (Andrew) Gates of Lexington, SC and Kate Serena Jones of Tampa, Florida; two sisters-in-law, Vernell Gates Hopson of Batesburg-Leesville, SC and Betty Wise of San Diego, California; 12 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild; a host of nieces and nephews; three God sons TJ Johnson, Tony Kennedy, and Eddie McCloud. She leaves her three closest friends, Mrs. Minnie G Davis, Mrs. Martha Haltiwanger, and Ms. Vivian Summers.

Service Information

The Gates family will be receiving visitors at the J.H. Robinson Funeral Home, 701 Hendrix St., Lexington, SC on Monday July 24, 2017 between the hours of 6 and 8 pm. There will also be a viewing at New Bethel AME Church, 500 S. Lake Dr., Lexington, SC on Tuesday July 25, from 1 to 2 pm. Funeral Services for Mrs. Annie Gates will be held 2pm on Tuesday, July 25 at New Bethel AME Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.