Julia A. Gates

Julia Ann Gates (née Lawson) was born on December 22, 1965 in Cleveland, Ohio to Ronald Sr. and Shirley (Brown) Lawson. Growing up in the Lutheran faith, she attended St. Philip Lutheran church and was educated at St. John Lutheran school and Lutheran High School East. Showing exceptional athletic ability, Julia participated in track, volleyball, basketball and cheerleading. After graduation, she quickly found a love for the banking industry and spent many years working in bank management.

Julia was an involved parent, ensuring Caesar, Ashley, and Donovan always had her love and support. She was the basketball mom, dance mom, and football mom who made character birthday cakes, and brought heart-shaped Rice Krispy treats to school for Valentine's Day.

In later years, Julia's interests turned to Tupperware, baking and dancing. Friends and family could depend on her for a good party, complete with some line dancing and homemade pound cake.

For the last decade, Julia was blessed to spend her days with Homer (Brian) Gates, living her best life. They took on every adventure- motorcycling, zip lining, traveling and ballroom dancing. Even her career took a more adventurous turn as she became a logistics manager-sometimes spending time on the road.

Julia was a devoted sister, wife, mother, grandmother, daughter and friend-always caring, always loving, and always there.

She was preceded in death by her father, Ronald Lawson Sr., and her mother Shirley Lawson.

She leaves to mourn, her husband, Homer (Brian); brother, Ronald II (Marlene); sons Caesar and Donovan; daughter, Ashley; grandchildren, Liam and Lily and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.