EDWARD B. GATES Edward Brice GATES, 81, of Sikeston, Missouri, died Saturday, May 3, 2003 in his residence in Sikeston, Missouri. He was born September 22, 1921 in Peach Orchard to the late John William David and Margarete Whitson GATES. He was a retired terminal manager for Agrico Chemical company and had served as a Seaman Second Class in the United States Navy during World War Two. He was a member of North Acres General Baptist Church in Sikeston and had served as a deacon and as Sunday School superintendant. On June 9, 1940, in Peach Orchard, he married Marguerite I. TUCKER, who preceded him in death, September 25, 1998. He then married Ramona Williams, January 6, 2001 in Sikeston and she survives. He is survived by two sons, Edward D. GATES, Benton, Missouri and Kevin E. GATES, Carlyle, Illinois; three daughters, Nellene A. ADKINS, Memphis, Patricia J. COMSTOCK, Sikeston and M. Carlette Von BURG, Carlyle; one brother, Lee Roy GATES, Youngtown, Arizona; two sisters, Iva MASON and Virginia LOWERY both of Knobel; 11 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Ira, Elvis, Melvin "Dago" and Paul GATES. Funeral services were conducted Tuesday morning, May 6, in Nunnelee Chapel, Sikeston with Reverend James TROTTER, former pastor of North Acres General Baptist Church, officiating. A graveside service was conducted at 1:30 in the afternoon in Pirtle Cemetery, Peach Orchard, with Reverend Melvin SHELTON officiating. Active pallbearers were Jim ADKINS, Andy COMSTOCK, Rod COMSTOCK, Chris REYNOLDS, Bob GATES and David VON BURG. Honorary pallbearers were J.L. GATES, Bud GATES, Warren HARBER, Bud DOCK, Jerry LIPPERT, Bill HUPP, Lee COMSTOCK, Brent GATES and Bud MILLER.