Julia Gatewood

Graveside services for Julia Gatewood, Pottersville, Missouri, will be at Oak Mound Cemetery, KK Highway, on Sunday, October 18, 2015 at 2:00 p.m., under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Gatewood passed away peacefully October 6, 2015. She was born July 18, 1927 in Ottawa County, Kansas. She married Moody Gatewood in 1946 in West Plains, Missouri. Together they moved to San Jose,California, where they created their married life. They had two beautiful children. Julia attended San Jose State University, California, and earned a Bachelors of Art Degree in Education. She continued her education at the University of Santa Clara,California, and earned a Masters of Arts Degree in Education specializing in Reading. She was a teacher for 15 years. After Moody and Julia retired in California, they moved to their Missouri farm to run a cattle ranch. Throughout Julia’s life, she was a writer and artist. Her many community contributions included Secretary and Treasurer of the Oak Mound Cemetery Trust, committee member to establish the West Plains Farmers Market, organizer and campaigner for the Missouri House of Representatives for Ozark County, member of the AAUW, member of the West Plains Artist Guild, historian of the West Plains Council of the Arts, and a member of the West Plains Women’s Business Group.

Julia was preceded in death by her parents, brother, husband of 65 years, and son, James Thomas Gatewood.

She is survived by her sister, Mary Lingo (Jack), daughter, Teresa Howie (Graydon), daughter-in-law, Dawn Gatewood, granddaughter, Shannon Barrow (Geoff), and three great grandchildren.

Mrs. Gatewood will lie in state from 5:00 p.m., Saturday, October 17th until noon, Sunday, October 18th, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. In Lieu of flowers, people may donate to The Gatewood Family Scholarship,, C/O West Plains Council of the Arts, and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.