Eloise Gates

Eloise Floyd Gates, age 86, of Matoaca, formerly of Petersburg, VA, died on Saturday, November 15, 2008. She was born in Petersburg, VA, the daughter of the late Thomas G. and Lucy Brown Floyd. Ms. Gates was the widow of the late Thaddeus Morriss Gates, and was also predeceased by her brother, Robert Edward Floyd. She was a retired employee of the city of Petersburg, with 28 years of service, and a member of the Second Presbyterian Church, Petersburg. Ms. Gates is survived by her daughters, Mary Gates Barnes and husband, Brian of Petersburg, and Nancy Gates Fitts and husband, Robert of Matoaca; two grandchildren, Robert T. and Ryan L. Fitts; a brother, James T. Floyd and wife Bessie of Matoaca; and a sister-in-law, Elizabeth Floyd of Charlotte, NC. The family will receive friends at the Second Presbyterian Church, Petersburg, on Thursday, November 20, 2008 from 10 to 11 a.m. with funeral services beginning at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in Blandford Cemetery, Petersburg. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contributions are made to the Second Presbyterian Church or the Southside Virginia Emergency Crew. Services are being conducted by the Petersburg chapel of J. T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home, where condolences to the family may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com .