Lloyd Gates

Lloyd Harris Gates, age 77, of Biloxi, went to sleep peacefully on Saturday, October 17, 2020 at his home in his favorite place, his workshop.  He was born September 23, 1943 in Gulfport, the second son of five children born to Charles and Betty Gates. Growing up in Gulfport, Lloyd was an "outdoors" young man that loved gardening with his father. He shared a kind hearted spirit with his mother. He played football while in school and graduated from Harrison Central High School. Then he joined the US Marine Corp where he was honorably discharged. He married Susan Marie Cunningham in 1966 and made their family home in Gulfport. They had two girls and were together for 32 years. Later Lloyd found another life partner, Gean Linenberger, and married her in 2009.

Over the years,  Lloyd developed a love for building things and became a finish carpenter as a profession. Later he worked at Biloxi/Gulfport Regional Airport, though he never lost his love for building things. Lloyd became baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in 1970. He was a member of the Lyman congregation in Gulfport and he spent time with friends playing cards and casting his fishing net, shrimping and oystering as the seafood seasons would come.

Gardening was his lifelong hobby. Lloyd was always working on some project, whether it was fixing broken appliances and cars or building a bridge and more recently his own boat. Something very important to him was his belief in the Resurrection hope made possible by the ransom sacrifice by Christ Jesus. (John 11: 4, 11, 25) He would want all of us to take comfort in knowing that he is alive not only in our hearts, but in his God Jehovah’s memory. His life has so many stories to tell. We all have our own stories of him and cannot wait until we see him again. He will be missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Betty Gates; his first wife, Susan Marie Gates; his older brother, Charles (Shirley) Gates of Dayton, TN; and his youngest brother, Fredrick Carlson Gates of Gulfport, MS. Those left to cherish his memories are: two children, daughters Martha (Mark) Sebe and Janet Lloyd of Gulfport, MS; two step-children, Mike Linenberger (Jackie) of San Diego, CA and Susan Steele (Lore) of Tumwater, WA; his brother, Billy (Shirley) Gates of Pass Christian, MS; and his sister, Deloris (Perry) Bartley of Long Beach, MS. He leaves a legacy of six grandchildren: Treasure Gates, Lyssa (Quanta) Jackson, Javon Lloyd, Kaylee, William and Lillian Sebe;  and two great-grandchildren, Jiamillion and Emmillion Jackson; along with nephews and nieces and life-long friends.

His final wishes were to be cremated, which his family is honoring. A small private family graveside service will be held at 10:00 am, Thursday morning, October 22nd.