Mother Essie B Kates

 Mother Essie Bell Kates was born in Hazlehurst, Georgia December 3, 1945 to Jeff David Roby and Ethel Lee White. Mother Essie met and married the love of her life Reverend George R. Kates Sr., for 41 years until his passing December 17, 2001. She was a member of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Arcadia, Florida under the leadership of Dr. Pastor Matthew Redmon.  She love singing for the Lord and during her earlier years taught Sunday School and Summer Bible Study.  Mother Essie was a great cook being famous for her homemade biscuits, cakes and pies.  She is also noted for being a fashionable diva in her own rights by coordinating her suits, hats and purses.  She is preceded in death by her husband Rev. George Kates; son Napoleon Kates; granddaughter Wendi McArthur and all 15 of her brothers and sisters.  She leaves cherished memories to sons George R. Kates Jr (Gail), Jeffrey L. Kates Sr.  (Lorraine), Tony G. Kates and Willie Johnson; daughters Janice Cray (Willie), Glendie J. Harris (James), Dorothy M. Champion (Lee) and Daughter-in-law April Kates (widow of Napoleon Kates); 35 grandchildren, 93 great grandchildren, 7 great great grandchildren; sister and brother-in-laws Alberta Kates-Woodard, Nathaniel Kates (Ann), Mary Barnes (Buster), Joyce Wooten (Charles), Donell Kates (Sherry) and a host of nieces, nephews, church family and extended loved ones.  Viewing will be held 6-8pm Friday, September 15, 2023 at the Funeral Home and Service will be held 1:30pm Saturday, September 16, 2023 at Happy Gospel Church 1915 53rd Avenue East Bradenton, Florida.

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