Mr. Sam Gates age 82 of Ellijay, GA died Tuesday April 7, 2015. Mr. Gates was born August 3, 1932 in Gilmer County, son of the late, Andrew Franklin and Tamer Sumner Gates. He was a self-employed heavy equipment operator and of the Methodist Faith. He is preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Irene Lumas and Frances Hill.

Survivors Include: sons and daughters in-law, Terry and Denise Gates, Blue Ridge, GA and Sam Gates, Jr., Ellijay, GA; daughters and sons in-law, Connie Gates and Danny Hall, Ellijay, GA, Robin Gates Holloway, Ellijay, GA, Debra and Brad Coleman, Whitestone, GA, Shannon Gates and Richard Sullivan, Calhoun, GA, Britt Gates and Gary Howell, Calhoun, GA and Teresa Gates Oblens, Murphy, NC; brothers and sister in-law, Paul Gates, Ellijay, GA and Herbert and Elaine Gates, Waycross, GA; sisters and brother in-law, Dorothy Abee, Valdese, NC and Alice and Larry Davis, Ellijay, GA; mothers of the children, Johnnie Call Kirby Bradley, Blue Ridge, GA, Vera Culp, Ellijay, GA and Brenda Nation Gates, Calhoun, GA; 17 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; 3 great great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday April 9th at 2pm from the Chapel of Bernhardt Funeral Home with Rev. Glenn Arnold and Harold Hammondtree officiating. Interment will follow in the Yukon Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Wednesday April 8th from 2pm until 8pm at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the Sam Gates Memorial Fund at P.O. Box 466 Ellijay, GA 30540 In Memory of Mr. Gates.

Bernhardt Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.bernhardtfh.com