Newport News, VIRGINIA — Kilisitina A. “Kris” Gates born in Pago Pago, American Samoa, passed away Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020.

She was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ and faithful member of Maranatha Baptist Church for 37 years. She was a prayer warrior, devoted friend, mother and grandmother or “GMA,” as they lovingly called her.

She loved missions and missionaries. She knew how to light up a room with her warm smile. You would hear her contagious laugh when you walked into church. She showed her love for people by being a servant. Kris sacrificially gave of herself to family and friends. She will always be remembered for her straight-forward advice and her prayer life. Kilisitina loved to sing in the choir, teach the little ones in Sunday school and faithfully told others about the love of Jesus. She will be very missed.

The verse Philippians 1:21, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain,” is a perfect picture of her life.

She was preceded in death by her father, Luapo Atiga;
mother, Ioana Atiga; sister, Puna Belford; brother, Luapo Atiga; and husband, Frederick T. Gates.

She is survived by her daughter, Diana L. Gates of Newport News, who she teaches K4 at Sharon Baptist Day School; son, David E. Gates of Dearborn, Michigan, missionary to the Arabs of America with Macedonia World Baptist Missions; daughter-in-law, Lora Beth Gates “Beth” of Dearborn, Michigan; four grandchildren, Joshua (12), Sandy (10), Emma (6) and Noah (3); sister, Ana Barrett of Kerrville, Texas, and her three sons, Frank, Bill and Stephen; and two brothers, Fono Atiga of California and Joe Atiga of Utah, and his wife, Tangikimoana Atiga, and their children.

The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 22, at W.J. Smith & Son Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, Nov. 23, at Maranatha Baptist Church. Burial will take place at 1 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 25, in Hampton National Cemetery (University side).

Memorial contributions may be made to Maranatha Baptist Church Missions, 221 Hampton Hwy, Yorktown, VA 23693.Share online condolences with the family at W.J. Smith & Son Funeral Home.