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Mr. Lafayette Gatling Sr.
Mr. Lafayette Gatling Sr.
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Lafayette Gatling Obituary
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Funeral Director Lafayette Gatling Sr. transitioned from this life at the age of 81 on December 28, 2021 in Chicago, IL.
Gatling was a native of Seaboard, North Carolina and is survived by his wife, Marguerite, three children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
"It was through this traumatic experience of losing his mother and waiting six months for his father that the 5-year-old Lafayette envisioned providing comfort to those experiencing the loss of their loved one. As a child, pretending to do funeral services in his North Carolina backyard to building one of the largest funeral homes in the country; that seed of sorrow created a harvest of help, hope and healing to millions within the greater Chicago land area," read a news release from Gatling Community Development.
He built Gatling's Chapels, and helped thousands of grieving Chicago families.
A Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 from 12:00 noon until 2:00 pm at Roanoke Salem Missionary Baptist Church, Garysburg, NC.
The family request that in lieu of flowers, please send donations to; The Gospel Music Foundation, 10133 S. Halsted, Chicago, IL 60628.
Due to COVID-19, H.D. Pope Funeral Home requires that all attendees to any service or visitation wear a face covering and practice social distance at all times. H.D. Pope Funeral Home staff has been trained to properly disinfect our chapels, lobbies, and restrooms after each service or visitation using state of the art Fog Sanitation.
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Mr. Lafayette Gatling Sr., please visit our Tribute Store.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sidney E. Swanson
January 21, 2022
When I first met Mr. Gatling I had a limousine service and he needed a extra limousine for a service, so I drove my limousine to help out. One of his drivers told me he had a quartet group. And I told him that I played the guitar and that I use my 18 wheeler truck to drive to my personal gigs. I was introduced to Mr. Gatling, we talked and I told that I was a Guitarist, he invited me to rehearsal and that was great beginning! We toured all across the USA. He found out that I have a CDL and that I was a Mason So I was the driver too. Those late night of taking turns driving that bus, he told me his story of how he got into the business, by having a funeral for a baby chick and I ask him how did you get the chickens to come? He said I put some feed down. I thought that he was kidding. But it was true. He taught me a lot about business and how people in business thinks. The Last time that I spoke with Gatling, he called me and told me that he needed me back in Chicago. I wish now that I had of back to Chicago. I love Mr Gatling and the family. He will be greatly missed. R.I.P Mr.Gatling.
Mattie Simon
January 11, 2022
Prayers and Condolences to Familyma
VERSEY ADAMS HUGHES
January 8, 2022
MARG....PRAYING...HOLD FOND TO THE MEMORIES!!!
Robin Owens
January 8, 2022
To the Gatling family, I am sending my condolences to you. My prayer is that God will continue to bless, strengthen and keep you during this time of bereavement. Have known Mrs. Gatling since I was a young girl. See was like family to our family. When my mother passed 12/31/2011, Mr. and Mrs. Gatling went the last mile of the way with our family to my mother´s burial is Mississippi. They drove or family to and from Mississippi on one of their buses. My oldest daughter was one of your employees for a number of years. Praying for traveling Grace to Mr. Gatling´s final resting place. Sending love from our family to your family.
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Brenda Cruell-Cantrell
January 8, 2022
My condolences for the Gatling and Ewell families. It was a pleasure to know Mr. Gatling. You all are what I have looked to as model Christians.
Cheyenne Woodruff
January 5, 2022
Mrs. G, Mere words will never be able to convey all of my thoughts, condolences and praise for Mr. G. From the 2nd funeral held at the Gatling Chaple (my cousin, James Robert Earl Jenkins) and throughout all the years that followed, Mr. G proved to be a Godly man of great integrity, personable qualities and the ultimate consummate professional in the lives of so many. I am ever proud to call the two of you, my friends! The quality and quantity of his generosity and concern for all can never be matched! Being a friend to my brother Elmer, and the many kindnesses he (and you) extended to him and to so many, many others, will live forever in mine and the hearts and lives of many. May the works he has done speak for him. Mrs. G, may you continue to stand boldly as you always stood with him and continue the work and business that the two of you so beautifully built and nurtured for so many years. May God continue to keep you in His care and impart to you His peace that surpasses all understanding. With much love, respect, and sincerity... Cheyenne Woodruff
Sharon DeVault
January 5, 2022
Dear Mrs. Gatling and Family, and Colleagues at Gatling's Chapel: My deepest sympathies on your loss of Mr. Gatling. I so enjoyed working with him, and I know how important he was to you all. I hope that you all have many happy memories of Mr. Gatling to sustain you during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Sharon DeVault
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