Obituaries

Virginia Rayburn Gates

Photo of Virginia Rayburn Gates
Virginia Rayburn Gates, 96, of Springdale, passed away January 17, 2016 at Fayetteville Health and Rehab. She was born January 2, 1920 in Pocahontas, TN to Leroy and Lucinda (Young) Rayburn. Virginia was a volunteer in the Civil Air Patrol and a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, serving in the Aviation Women's Reserve Squadron. She lived many years in Little Rock where she worked as a court reporter and earned her law degree at UALR. She retired and moved to Guadalajara, Mexico, living there 13 years before moving to Northwest Arkansas in 1986. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Springdale, a Jones Center volunteer, and enjoyed playing bridge and golf. She loved reading, crossword puzzles, political discussions, and gardening. Virginia was a unique and special lady who will be greatly missed. Virginia was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, James Barkman Gates. She is survived by one son, James Barkman Gates, Jr. and his wife, Myrtis of Garland, Texas, and two granddaughters: Mary Andra and Rachel Ann Gates. A memorial service will be Saturday, January 23 at 11 a.m. and will take place at First Presbyterian Church in Springdale. Pastor Phil Butin of Fayetteville will preside. Memorials may be made honoring Virginia to the First Presbyterian Church in Springdale, or the World Wildlife Fund. Arrangements: Epting Funeral Home of Fayetteville. Condolences: www.eptingfuneralhome.webs.com.

Published January 21, 2016

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