Martha Ellen (Sherman) Gates

WELLSBURG- Martha Ellen (Sherman) Gates, 90, of Wellsburg, NY passed away on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at the Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira, NY. She was the loving wife of the late Rexford Marcus Gates who passed away in June of 1995. The couple married February 3, 1945 and had 50 happy years together. Martha was born on February 6, 1923 in Elmira, daughter of the late William and Gertrude (Newcomer) Sherman. She worked at Elmira Discount as the Manager of Ladies Wares until she retired. Martha was a member of New Beginning United Methodist Church in Elmira, liked to travel, make crafts, and enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. Martha is survived by her son Thomas (Donna) Gates of Missouri and his children: Shelly (Henry) Schrock, Danny (Kathy) Gates, and Holly (Caleb) Robinson, her daughter Patricia (Barry) Keller of Wellsburg, NY, and her children: Tanya (Bobby) Harvey, Tammy (Dan) Gabriel, and Michael (Nicky) Coletta, her other daughter Melinda (Michael) Alvich of Dryden, NY, eighteen great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren, along with several nieces and nephews, and special friends: Cliff Halm and Shirley and John Humphry. Martha was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Rexford, her brother Daniel Sherman who passed away in December of 2010, and her sister Gracia Cardonia who passed away in August 2010. Family and friends are welcome to call from 1:00-2:00 PM on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at the Roberts Funeral Home, 279 Main Street Wellsburg, NY. The funeral service to honor Martha’s life will be held at 2:00 PM on March 23rd at the funeral home with her pastor, Rev. Michael Weeden officiating. Burial will be private and at the convenience of Martha’s family in Checkerville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in Martha’s memory to the American Cancer Society 1316 College Ave. Ste 2 Elmira, NY 14901 or CareFirst Hospice 11751 E. Corning Rd. Corning, NY 14830-3657 or the National Kidney Foundation 30 East 33rd Street New York, NY 10016 or the charity of one’s own choosing.