Mrs. Christine Gates, age 58, of Lenoir passed away on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at her home.

Christine was born in Santa Maria, California to Roger and Judy Steele. Her early years were spent in California, the Marshall Islands, and North Carolina. She spent time in Miami, Florida where she developed a love of the sun that lasted her whole life. She later moved to Camarillo, California where she met and married Brad Gates, her husband of 35 years.

Christine's 2FUN4U license plate gave a great description of her young adult years. Her ability to make an entrance is remembered fondly by all, but especially by Brad who remembers every detail of what she looked like when he saw her for the first time.

Waterskiing, Bicycling, Kayaking, Rollerblading, Car Racing, and Horses were her favorite outdoor activities. Her creative hobbies were too numerous to count or complete. She approached everything in her life with confidence, passion, and was never afraid to share exactly what she thought and believed. She was dedicated to doing her own research and was a great lover of education in all forms. She had a dark sense of humor that carried her through countless cancer treatments and her last weeks of life.

Christine was involved in her community, state, and country, and will be dearly missed by her family, friends, and community.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Roger and Judy Steele, her paternal grandparents, Lee and Edna Steele; and maternal grandparents, Russell and Ruby Gallo.

Survivors include her husband, Brad Gates; her daughter, Alexandria Sexton (husband Adam); a sister, Gina Parker; grandchildren, Anderson Dominic Sexton and Sol Sexton; close family friend, Becky Todd; she is also survived by numerous other relatives.

A memorial service celebrating the life of Christine will be held on Monday, April 1st, 2024 at 2pm at Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Church.

Online Condolences may be left at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com.

Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the family of Mrs. Christine Gates.