Walter Dennis Gatewood

Walter Dennis Gatewood, born August 27, 1934, to W. L. and Louise Harper Gatewood left this earth on June 13, 2016, to be with our Lord. He grew up in Jones County and attended Soso Elementary and Ellisville/Jones County Junior College where he graduated with honors. He majored in Medical Technology and did his internship at Mercy Hospital in Vicksburg, MS. He worked at Forrest and Wiggins hospitals before returning to Jones County. He was employed at Boone Clinic/Westridge Clinic for 52 years where he retired as a Medical Technologist and a Lab and X-ray Technician. He was very active as a member of the Laurel Jaycees serving in different capacities for many years. Fishing was his favorite past time as long as he was able, but his greatest accomplishment in this life was at the age of 14 when Bro. Tommy Fant led him to the Lord and he accepted the Lord as his personal savior at his favorite fishing spot. He was a very active and faithful member of Plainway Baptist Church where he taught Sunday school for 44 years. He never missed a Sunday morning, Sunday night or Wednesday night service until about two years ago when his health started to decline. He also served in the capacity as Church Clerk/Church Secretary for 30 years. You could always find him doing something for the Lord and the Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, W. L. and Louise Harper Gatewood; brother, Billy Ray Gatewood; daughter, Mary Elizabeth “Liz” Rainey; uncles, Kimble Harper and Wilford Harper; and nephews, Robert “Bobby” Tucker, and Randy O. Tucker. He is survived by his daughter, Ouida (Ellis) Hester of Ellisville; sister, Linda (Robert) Tucker of Altamont, IL; four grandchildren, Kim (Aaron) Evans of Brandon, Brian Floyd of Laurel, Wayne (Toni) Rainey of Big Creek, and David Rainey of Laurel; four great grandchildren, Lauren Evans of Brandon, Lexi Evans of Brandon, Alex Rainey of Big Creek, and Piper Rainey of Big Creek; a special caregiver, Tricia Teneyck of Sandersville; and a host of other relatives. Funeral services will be Friday, June 17, 2016, with the Rev. Robert Tucker and Rev. Chaise Herrington officiating. Visitation will be from 12:30 until service time at 2:00 p.m. at Memory Chapel Funeral Home in Laurel. Burial will be at Union Line Cemetery, Soso. Pallbearers will be Brian Floyd, Aaron Evans, Van Long, Renee Murphy, Trevor Shows, and Tommy McGee.

Walter Dennis Gatewood

August 27, 1934 - June 13, 2016