Charlie "Harlow" Gates

Rural Retreat, Va.

Charlie “Harlow” Gates age 86, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 24, 2023 at the Mountain Laurel Nursing Home in Rural Retreat, Va.

Harlow grew up in the “Black Hill” area of Smyth County. He graduated from Rich Valley H.S. and later attended Danville Com. College. He retired in 1997 from Danville’s Corning, Inc. plant after 30 thirty-plus years of service. He moved from Danville to Rural Retreat in 2000 to be near our families. He was a loving and caring husband to Shirley W. Gates for 63 yrs. He volunteered with the Danville Rescue Squad for 23 yrs. And with the Rural Retreat squad for 5 yrs. In both squads, his peers honored him with a “CREWMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD.” He was faithful to his church, East End Baptist, and had many good friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Georgia Gates; brothers, Stanley and Harvey Gates; brother-in-law, Roy Harris.

Harlow is survived by his wife of 63 years, Shirley W. Gates of Rural Retreat Va.; sister, Goldie Gates Harris of Ceres, Va.; brothers, Cecil Gates and wife, Elaine of Littlestown, Pa., Bill Gates and wife, Anita of Hanover, Pa.; brother-in-law, Bill Wyrick of Bristol Tn.; sisters-in-law, Jackie Gates of Rural Retreat, Va., Brenda Wyrick of Bristol, Tn.; several nieces and nephews; special friend, Brian Simons, plus many more.

A Memorial Service will be held at Fraziers’ Seaver-Brown Chapel, Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at 2 p.m. with Reverend David Sizemore officiating. Burial will be private at Rosewood Memorial Gardens.

Flowers will be appreciated or you may send your memorials to East End Baptist Church, 414 Groseclose St., Marion, Va. 24354; or to Rural Retreat Rescue Squad 219 E. Railroad Ave., Rural Retreat, Va. 24368; or to your favorite charity.

A big thank-you to all who supported us during these days.   

To share memories of Charlie “Harlow” Gates, please visit www.seaverbrown.com. Care for Harlow has been entrusted to Fraziers’ Seaver-Brown Funeral Service & Crematory, 237 East Main Street, Marion, Va. 24354.