Paula Ellen Gates' Obituary
Paula Ellen Gates, 71, passed away on December 23, 2024. She was born on January 14, 1953, in Dill City, OK. After graduating high school, she moved to Weatherford, OK, to attend Southwestern Oklahoma State University. While working on her Doctor of Pharmacy degree, she met her future husband, Steven Gates. After graduation, Paula and Steve married in 1977, and both began careers as pharmacists. While excelling in her career, Paula dreamed of being a mother. In 1980, her daughter Stephanie was born. In 1983, her son Scott came, and in 1987, her son Jeffrey arrived. Paula worked to support Steve during his time in medical school and looked forward to the time that she could become a stay-at-home mom. A little while after Jeffrey was born, Paula was able to transition into a new phase of life, staying home with her children while also managing Steve’s new medical practice. The flexibility of this new work schedule allowed her to invest heavily in the lives of her children, friends, community, and church. She volunteered in local schools, teaching etiquette, and art appreciation to fifth graders.
Paula’s Christian faith was the foundation of her life. She loved the Lord, believed in the saving power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and allowed the Holy Spirit to guide her throughout her daily encounters. She actively participated in weekly Bible studies, sang in the church choir, and helped lead the church’s youth choir. The most remarkable display of her faith was her love for people. Her empathetic heart was a soft place to land for those experiencing grief, as she would graciously sit with them in their pain. Paula was known for her gift of hospitality. She enjoyed welcoming others into her home, filling her kitchen with cookbooks and serving utensils so she could be ready for a gathering on short notice.
Her favorite pastimes include spending time with her family and friends, listening to music, studying art, visiting museums, reviewing house floorplans while dreaming of her next home, experimenting with interior design, and discovering new desserts to try.
Paula was preceded in death by her son Scott Gates (Corpus Christi, TX), parents Charles and Nadine Banwart (Dill City, OK), brothers Richard Banwart (Dill City, OK) and Aldon Banwart (Azle, TX), sister LaVanya Daniels (Rochester, MN), and parents-in-law Leon and Mary Lorine Gates (Tulsa, OK).
Paula is survived by her husband, Dr. Steven Gates (Fort Worth, TX); daughter, Stephanie Sloan (Fort Worth, TX) and husband, Randall; son, Jeffrey Gates (Augusta, GA) and wife, Dr. Courtney Kalbacker, and their daughters Joanna and Eleanor; brother Robert Banwart (Perkins, OK); sisters Marguerita Tutwiler (Clinton, OK), and Deborah Norwood (Arlington, TX); and numerous other family members.
In lieu of flowers, to support Paula’s love of children and music, you may donate to the Education Department of Opera Baltimore at this link: https://operabaltimore.app.getcuebox.com/o/GFSJT6VK/donate/21191Z1C
To support Paula’s love of Christian ministry, you may donate to her daughter Stephanie’s ministry, Catalyst Coalition, at this link: https://giving.myamplify.io//app/giving/catalystcoalition.
To support Paula’s love of art, you may donate in Paula’s memory to the Kimbell Art Museum’s Kimbell Fund at this link: https://secure.kimbellart.org/donate/i/honorormemory.
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