Ima Jean Ates

Ima Jean Fuqua Ates, 91, of Milton, Florida passed away Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
She was born on September 11, 1934, in Brewton, Alabama to Herman McKinnon and Willie Mae Fuqua. She graduated from W. S. Neal High School in 1952. She married her husband, Herbert Edgar Ates, on November 15, 1952. She worked at Chemstrand Corporations and Vanity Fair before becoming a stay-at-home wife and mother. She diligently cared for her family while her husband served in the U.S. Army.
She was a strong and inspirational matriarch, leading her family with grace and love. She has been a faithful member of the First Apostolic Church in Milton since 1964.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Herbert Ates; her parents, Herman McKinnon and Willie Mae Fuqua; her son-in-law, Jerry Nolf; two of her grandchildren, Rustyn Reed and Shelby Reed; two sisters, and two brothers.
She is survived by her four daughters and their spouses, Richard and Karen (Ates) Chestnut, Lynn (Ates) Nolf and partner, Anne Gay, Scott and Kelly (Ates) Phillips, and Allison Ates and partner, Debra Mayer; one sister, Lois Solomon; seven grand-children; sixteen great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
A Funeral Service will be held on Sunday, January 11, 2026 at the First Apostolic Church of Milton, 5574 Highway 90 W, Milton, Florida 32570 with visitation from 1:00-2:00pm and service at 2:00pm. Interment will immediately follow the service at Crain Cemetery, Milton, Florida.
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