CELEBRATING
June 21, 1928 ~ July 2, 2026
Saturday July 11, 2026 | 11:00am
St. Paul Missionary
Rev. Dr. Clayton Eugene Taylor Sr., Senior Pastor
Obituary
Louise Asberry Gates, the beloved matriarch of our family, was born on June 21, 1928, in West Palm Beach, Florida, to the late John Henry Asberry and late Indiana Adkins Asberry. As a young girl, she enjoyed spending time visiting the local beaches, crabbing and fishing. She attended Pleasant City Elementary School and later Industrial High School, where she developed a talent for the art of crocheting.
In 1945, Louise married Mr. Handy Knox, and they welcomed her only son, James "Jamie" Edward Knox. In 1947, she and Jamie relocated to Atlanta with her family before she later moved to New York in pursuit of better job opportunities. While in New York, she found steady employment at a children’s dress factory on 46th Street and 11th Avenue. She cherished her time in the city, especially her Friday visits to the Apollo Theater, where she saw legends like Sarah Vaughan, Josephine Baker, and Billie Holiday, and enjoyed the music of her favorites, Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole. Her time in New York helped shape her sense of style, confidence, and poise, qualities that influenced many young women around her.
Mrs. Gates returned to Atlanta in 1953 and joined Union Baptist Church, where she was baptized by the late Reverend James Wilborn. Following a split at Union Baptist Church, she joined St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in February 1961. Her family, including the late Deacon Esper Adkins, the late Irene Adkins, and her mother, the late Indiana Asberry, were instrumental in the organization of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. She served in many capacities and roles as a servant of the Church, including the Missionary Board and the Mother’s Board.
In 1976, Louise married John H. Gates, and they spent thirty-seven wonderful years together until his passing in 2013. Their home was always open to family, friends, and neighbors, particularly during the holidays. A talented cook, she was renowned for her incredible pound cake. Louise loved to travel and enjoyed trips to Florida, California, Ohio, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Detroit, Austin Cincinnati and Memphis, often visiting her brother, George, in Riverside, California and joining her husband and siblings on several cruise ships. She was also proud to be a part of history in 2009, when she traveled to Washington, D.C., to witness the first inauguration of President Barack Obama.
She often traveled with her sister, the late Carlean Brown. They shared a strong bond while living in Atlanta, GA for many years; often shopping and dining together with family. Louise often made it a priority to attend many family gatherings and deeply encouraged the continuation of traditions like the Adkins Family Reunion.
Mother Gates was a virtuous woman and a true matriarch who taught the women in her family the values of poise and grace. She was known for her outstanding fashion acumen, often referred to as a fashion icon. Her fashion choices were bold, high-end and innovative. Everyone experienced trips to Lenox Mall with her where she would shop for herself and bless others. She was a devoted presence in the lives of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She frequently participated in events involving the children of the family and was a constant voice of encouragement to them.
Later in life, she moved to Sparks Inn Assisted Living, where she was a well-respected resident who attended church every Sunday and participated in numerous activities; including bingo, nail salon, and karaoke. She loved being outdoors and befriended many residents and staff. While maintaining her relationships with her Saint Paul Church family through frequent visits, calls and cards. As she was wheelchair bound, she established a special friendship with Cary Bradshaw, who made sure she would get where she needed to go and became her new best friend: further high lightening the magnitude of her impact.
Louise was proceeded in death by her mother, Indianna Asberry, father, John Henry Asberry, brother John Lloyd Asberry ,sister Carlean Brown, her niece Deborah McClendon and her husband, John Gates. She is survived by her brother, George Asberry, her son, James Knox Sr., cousin, Dorothy Gray; her grandchildren James Knox, Jr. (Sonya), Letitia Knox; her great grandchildren, Brittney Knox, Jennifer Knox, Nicolas Knox, Navarious Knox, and great-great grandchildren Karter Knox, Kody Knox, and Emil Kash. She is also survived by her devoted nieces, Cynthia Peurifoy, and Cheryl Lynn Thomas; nephews, Q’Vinc Asberry, Kirk Asberry and Mitchell Brown Jr; Teresa Willis Knox, Linda Saxton, Debbie Robinson and a host of additional loving and dedicated family members.
Order of Service
Scripture: Old Testament................................................................................................................
Robert Stanley Chaplain , PruittHealth at Christian City
Deacon Gregory Duhart
Door Evangelistic Pentecostal Church
Invocation...................................................................................................................
Christopher E. Taylor, M.Div. Co-Pastor – Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church
Prayer.......................................................................................................................
Selection..........................................................................................
Remarks/Reflections (2 Minutes Please):
Church:
Troy Thomas
Door Evangelistic Pentecostal Church
Mother Rosa Parks, Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church – Mother’s Ministry
Minnie Johnson, Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church – Greeters Ministry
Deacon Henry Clowers, Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church – Deacons Ministry
Community and Family:
Beverly Alexander, Friend
The Honorable Harold Mitchell, Former South Carolina State Legislature Representative Jennifer Knox, Great Granddaughter
Karter Knox, Great – Great Granddaughter
Corinne McClendon, Great Neice Nick Knox, Great Grandson
Silently) / Slideshow
Rev. Dr. Clayton E. Taylor Senior Pastor, Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church
Acknowledgements.......................................................................................Willie A. Watkins Historic West End Staff
St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church 2870 Headland Drive | East Point, Georgia 30344
To My Mother,
I feel so fortunate to have a mother like you. You were a wonderful person for me, from my childhood to an adult; you were always there for me. I am so proud to have had you as my mother. I know you are smiling down on us as we continue to do good in your honor. We will be thinking of you as you’re walking around all day in heaven doing everything your heart desires. I love you, Mom.
-Jamie
To My Dear Sister, Louise
Living without you will be incredibly difficult, and I will cherish our memories forever. May peace be with you.
With Love, Your Brother, George
My Dearest Aunt, Louise
I am so honored to have been with you for my entire life until now. You were not only like a mother to me but a best friend and confidant. Our memories are endless and will always be a huge source of strength and comfort in the days ahead. Thank you for being my inspiration. Across many states and time zones, you became my “road dog”! I will miss your beautiful smile and your words of encouragement. Now that you’re at peace, please let Carlean, my mother, and sister, Debbie, and my dad Mitchell know that I miss them dearly and one day we will be together again. Sending love to the Heavens from your niece,
Cynthia
Flower Ladies
Deaconess Ministry of Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church
Pallbearers
James Knox Jr.
Nicholas Knox Navarious Knox Q'Vinc Asberry
Mitchell C. Brown Jr.
Acknowledgements
With deep gratitude, the Family of Mrs. Louise Gates wishes to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to family and friends for their prayers, visits, calls and other wonderful expressions of sympathy shown during her illness and our time of bereavement. Your thoughtful prayers and well wishes have been a source of consolation and strength. May God Bless and keep you always.
A special thanks to the nursing and facility staff at Christian City Sparks Inn Assisted Living facility; the long-standing doctors that provided care for her for decades and nurses from the Amedisys Home Health Care Services. A very special thanks goes to Reverend Dr. Clayton E. Taylor and the Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church congregation and family. In addition, we would also like to thank Willie A. Watkins and staff for the delicate level of care provided to our family during our time of bereavement.
Willie A. Watkins Funeral Home Historic West End Chapel 1003 Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard Atlanta, Georgia 30310 Ph: 404-758-1731 | www.williewatkins.com