Norma "Jean" Gates Obituary (1935 - 2026)

Norma “Jean” Gates, 91, of Edinburg, passed away at 5:48 a.m. on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at Taylorville Skilled Nursing and Rehab. Jean was born January 21,1935, in Divernon, IL, the daughter of Herman I. and Leona Mae (Bounds) Williams. She married Robert Hewitt. He was killed during his military service. She later married Roy S. Gates, Jr. in Springfield, IL. He preceded her in death. As a housekeeper, Jean was employed by Walt Disney World Resorts at the Grand Floridian and Port Orleans resorts for over seven years. Prior to that she had worked in housekeeping at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield. She was an active member of Real Life Church in Springfield. Jean is survived by her three children, Karen Rose of Edinburg, Larry Wayne (Kathy) Gates, Sr. of Springfield, and Mary Ann Price of Taylorville; her grandchildren, Amy Marie, Larry Gates, Jr., Terry Gates, Chrissy Hayes, Cory Lynn Scantlan, Kenny Gates Jr., Missy Fowler, Bryan Knoles, Alisa (Kirt) Brockelsby, Timmy (Kim) Price, Payton (Sophie) Price, and Jacquelynn (Braden) Lush; a half-sister, Susan Fishel of Springfield; and several great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands; two sons, Roy Allen Gates and Kenneth Edward Gates; grandson, Shawn Fortner; one sister and two brothers. Cremation care has been accorded. Private family services are being planned. Memorials may be made to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital. The family is being served by McClure Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Taylorville.