Sebastopol: Services for Mr. Wentworth Thomas "Tommy" Gates will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 14, 2023 at Milling Funeral Home Chapel of Sebastopol. Burial will be held at High Hill Baptist Church Cemetery. Rev. Don Cook will be officiating.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Saturday, prior to Chapel services at Milling Funeral Home.

Mr. Tommy Gates, age 73, passed away on Tuesday, January 10, 2023.

Mr. Tommy Gates was born on April 1, 1949, in Jackson, MS, where he lived most of his life. He fell in love and married Rita Gilmore Gates on January 26, 1973. They soon welcomed their son, Brian Thomas Gates into the family.

Tommy had a love for family and country. He served his country by enlisting in the Mississippi National Guard and served for many years. He shared a great love for his family and helped them in any way he could. Tommy had a servant's heart and served others by volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and other local ministries. He discovered a joy for mission trips to Mexico and helping meet both the physical and spiritual needs of the people he met there.

Tommy enjoyed spending time hunting and fishing. He developed an enjoyment for farming and cattle and spent as much time as he could in Neshoba County working with his extended family on their land there. He served several churches as a deacon, teacher, and volunteer.

The family wishes to extend their deepest thanks to the wonderful care and compassion shown by the staff of the Blake at Township and Compassus Hospice.

Survived by: Loving wife of 50 years: Rita Gates of Ridgeland, MS

1 Son: Brian Gates (Ammi) of Madison

1 Grandson: Thomas Gates of Madison

1 Sister: Toni Bell of Brandon

1 Sister-in-law: Belinda Gilmore of Sebastopol

He is also survived by one niece and seven nephews.

Mr. Tommy Gates is preceded in death by: his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Wentworth Gates Sr. and one sister, Beverly Garner.

Pallbearers: Baron Gilmore, Heath Gilmore, Tim Bell, Steve Lambert, David Mitchell, and Billy Paul Davidson