Martha Karren (Lingerfelt) Gates

Martha Karren Lingerfelt Gates, 80, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, February 21, 2025. She was born in Mecklenburg County, the daughter of the late Torrence McCoy Lingerfelt and Martha Grace Burch Lingerfelt. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Barry Gurley, II.

Martha will be remembered for her sense of humor and her selflessness. She loved her family immensely, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Stephen Douglas Gates, Sr.; her children, Lisa McCutcheon (Sid), Stephen Douglas Gates, Jr., Laura Gurley, and Darrin Gates (Nalani); her grandchildren, Kristen Maxwell, Amy Hutto, Stephen Gates, Victoria Alexander (Christian), Dakota Perry, Brianna Gurley Bryant (Christopher), Ciarra Gurley, Sage Gates, Caden Gates, and Chaz Gates; her great-grandchildren, Kian, Grace, Everly, Jonah, Aiden, Aria, and Grayson; her brother, Eric Lingerfelt (Pat); her sister, Janice Fulford; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A service to celebrate the life of Mrs. Gates will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at the Woodlawn Chapel of Woodlawn Funeral Home, Mount Holly. Rev. Eric Chaney will officiate. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Gardens Cemetery, Mount Holly. The family will greet guests from 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Autism Speaks by visiting www.autismspeaks.org. Condolence messages may be sent to the family by visiting www.woodlawnfuneral.org. Woodlawn Funeral Home of Mount Holly is caring for Mrs. Gates' family.

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