Catherine E Eleazer Gates

CHAPIN – Catherine Eleazer Gates, wife of the late Lewis Taylor Gates, died Sunday, July 24, 2011. Catherine was born August 23, 1914, daughter of R. Walter M. and Alma Shealy Eleazer. She was a graduate of Chapin High School and attended nurses school at Johns Hopkins. Catherine was a life-long member of Mt. Horeb Lutheran Church where she taught in all areas of the educational program and served in the auxiliaries of the church. She was Mt. Horeb’s first female elected to the church council. She was a member of the Executive Committee of the South Carolina Unit of Lutheran Women and a member of the Newberry College Women’s League and the Auxiliary to the Lutheran Seminary.

Mrs. Gates served on the Advisory Committee of the Home Economics Division of the South Carolina Department of Education. In that capacity, she participated in conferences at Winthrop College. The Homemakers Association of Chapin High School elected her for honorary membership.

While serving on the Aging Planning Advisory Committee of Central Midlands Planning Council, Mrs. Gates was influential in getting the congregate meals and the home delivered “Meals On Wheels” for the Chapin Area. The Irmo-Chapin Parks and Recreation Commission acknowledged Mrs. Gates contribution as she served several years on the Chapin Recreation Advisory Council.

Mrs. Gates was a member of the Rural Letter Carriers Auxiliary where she served as District President. She was employed by the Internal Revenue Service for twelve years. She retired as teacher substitute in the Chapin schools..

In the year 2000, Mrs. Gates became an author publishing a book entitled “Completion of Appointed Rounds”. It tells the story of her late husband, Lewis Taylor Gates with whom she shared 32 years of marriage before his untimely death in 1966.

Catherine was inducted into The Chapin Hall of Fame October, 2004, where she was recognized for her many accomplishments and also as a wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Mrs. Gates was an avid gardener and her yard showed the beauty of her work.

Mrs. Gates was predeceased by brothers, J. B. and Harry “Flick” Eleazer and sister, Margaret Eleazer Godbold. Surviving Catherine is her daughter, Margaret Gates Robinson (John), grandchildren, Mary Catherine Rodgers, (John) and Cynthia Lu LaCarbonara both of Chapin, Margaret Camille Joseph (George) of Irmo, Joe Lander Lassiter (Audrey) of White Rock; two great-grandsons, John William “Will” Rodgers IV and Justin Perry Rodgers both of Chapin; one great-granddaughter, Taylor Ann Fiber of Irmo; one niece, Mimbee Eleazer Ray and one nephew, John J. Godbold. She was a dear and sincere friend to so many people in all walks of life and all ages. We will all truly miss her wisdom and loving and caring and positive attitude. Mrs. Gates lived life to the fullest. She was devoted to her husband, Lew, and wrote about their lives together in a book she published years after his death. She cherished her own family, as well as her extended family in the Chapin community. She was always generous with a loving smile and a hug.

She especially loved children, offering them guidance and encouragement, and often opened her home on Lake Murray for church youth activities. In her later years, she served as a Teacher’s Aid in Chapin schools. She has touched many lives, and her spirit will live on.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to Catherine’s caregivers, Vie Wilmot, Kay Shirley, Gloria Scott and Judy McFall. We were very blessed to have them and to Gentiva Hospice. Visitation will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Chapin Chapel. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 27, 2011 at Mt. Horeb Lutheran Church with Pastor Ralph Hill and Pastor Ken Gilliken officiating. Interment will be held in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to a charity of One’s Choice or to Mt. Horeb Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 8, Chapin, SC 29036.