Gates Franklin King

Mr. Gates Franklin King, 69, of 6372 Ararat Highway, Ararat, VA, passed away Monday, December 10, 2012, at Pioneer Community Hospital of Patrick County in Stuart, VA. Mr. King was born September 29, 1943, in Patrick County, VA, one of six children born to the late Samuel Percy and Hester Mankins King. Gates served our country in the United States Army in the early 1960s and worked as a truck driver for many years. He is survived by two daughters and a son-in-law, Sharon Duncan of the home and Shannon and Wayne Williams of Smyrna, DE; four grandchildren, Jade Duncan of Waverly, TN, Amber Cochran of Martinsville, VA, and Taylor Johns and Devin Williams, both of Smyrna, DE; five great-grandchildren; three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Pansy and Don Floyd of Lexington, SC, Estelle and Anthony Terry of Ararat, VA, and Mozelle Mangus of The Villages, FL; a brother and two sisters-in-law, Cloyd and Teresa King of Martinsville, VA, and Phyllis King of Mount Airy; several nieces and nephews; a special uncle and aunt, Warren Garland King, Sr. and Mary King of Nashville, TN; and many special friends. In addition to his parents, Mr. King was preceded in death by a brother and sister-in-law, Buford and Shelby King. A graveside service will be held Friday, December 14, 2012, at 2:00 PM at Oakdale Cemetery, with the Rev. Buford Jessup and Rev. Rickey Rogers officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the VFW Memorial Honor Guard. The family will receive friends Friday from noon until 1:30 PM at Moody Funeral Home in Mount Airy. Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, NC61, c/o Bernie Epperson, 767 West Lebanon Street, Mount Airy, NC 27030.