Mary Ruth (Gasaway) Gates

Mary Ruth Gates, 80, of Overbrook, KS, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at the Brookside Retirement Community. Born on June 4, 1944, in Wichita, KS, she was the daughter of Ruth Ellen Potter and Ernest Charles Gasaway.

Mary spent her early years in Wichita, where she graduated from high school before pursuing her passion for music at Ottawa University. On February 1, 1964, she married the love of her life, Jimmy Dean Gates, in Wichita, KS. Their marriage spanned over 50 beautiful years until Jim’s passing in 2014. Together, they owned and operated Four Corners Implement Company from 1969 to 1991.

A devoted member of the Overbrook United Methodist Church, Mary served as the church’s music director for over forty years.  Her love for music was evident through her involvement with the hand bell choir, and her talents as both a pianist and organist enriched the lives of all who heard her play. From 1984 to 2012, she also served as a piano accompanist for USD 434, where she cherished helping family and students prepare for competitions and musicals. Even after retiring from the school, Mary continued to share her gift of music with her family, the Overbrook United Methodist Church and the residents at Brookside Retirement Community.

In addition to her love for music, Mary found joy in woodcarving, painting, and traveling with her husband, family, and friends. She was an enthusiastic card player, especially enjoying hearts and dominoes during family gatherings, and also enjoyed playing dominoes and Bunko with friends. Mary was also involved in her community, serving as a member of the Overbrook Fidelis Club, the Overbrook Veterans Committee, a Girl Scout leader, and an active Red Hatter, cherishing the friendships and sense of community these groups brought her.  Mary was honored with the Rotary Paul Harris Fellow for her dedication to the community.  Alongside Jim, she was a loyal
K-State fan, always cheering on the Wildcats.  Go Cats!

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Ruth Ellen Potter and Ernest Charles Gasaway, her beloved husband Jim, and her five brothers: Charles, Joe, Don, Larry, and Johnny Gasaway.

She is survived by her two children, Ernest Todd Gates of Overbrook, KS, and Debra Gae Jones and her husband Darin Walter Jones of Overbrook, KS; five grandchildren, Chelsie LeAnne Gates, Brandon James Jones, Dr. Trevor Lee Jones and his wife Jacqueline Rose Jones, Lauren Ruth Gates, and Ryan Dean Gates; one great-grandson, Aries Lee Jones; and two sisters-in-law, Mildred Louise Gasaway of Derby, KS, and Mona Kathleen Gasaway of Wichita, KS.

Mary’s legacy of love, music, and community will live on in the hearts of her family, friends, and all those she touched through her life’s work.

To celebrate Mary's life, a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at the Overbrook United Methodist Church, 1005 Maple Street, Overbrook, KS 66524. Interment will follow at the Overbrook Cemetery. The family will receive friends at 10 a.m. at the church, prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Overbrook United Methodist Church for the Music Memorial Fund and sent in care of Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, PO Box 268, Overbrook, KS 66524.

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