Judith May "Judi" (Hickman) Gates

Judith May "Judi" (Hickman) Gates, 72, of Kalamazoo died peacefully at home, with her family at her side on Sunday, August 8, 2021.

Judi was born January 12, 1949 in Battle Creek, Michigan to John Charles and Beatrice May (Bruce) Hickman. She lived most of her life in Battle Creek and was a 1967 graduate of Pennfield High School. Judi also earned an Executive Secretarial Certificate from Kellogg Community College. In her early years, she enjoyed working as a Ward Clerk at the former Battle Creek Sanitarium Hospital. She retired as Corporate Credit Manager for the Kendall Group. Her 39 year career with Kendall began as a receptionist at Kendall Hardware, where she was a dedicated, hard-working member of the Kendall team and remained loyal even after retiring.

Judi married the love of her life, Wendell Charles Gates, III on August 24, 1985 in Battle Creek. Surviving are her loving husband, Chuck; children, Bryan (Jolynn) Smith of Battle Creek, Karlee (Timothy) Fielding of Englewood, Florida; stepson, Jacob (Melissa) Gates of Marshall; and eight grandchildren, Lauren Long, Reagan Smith, Nolan Smith, Grace Childs, Emily Gleason, Clara Gates, Jonas Gates and Makena Gates. Judi was preceded in death by her parents

Above all, Judi believed "Jesus Loves Me, This I Know." Judi was a former member and choir member of the First Assembly of God in Battle Creek and a current member of Kalamazoo First Assembly of God. Her life was dedicated to raising her children. She was a mentor to many people, both at work and within her personal life; as well as all the children who passed through her doors, the return they gave her was immeasurable. She considered her love of helping businesses be more profitable, and people realizing their worth to be a major part of her success at work. Judi will be remembered as a loving, committed wife, mother, grandmother, friend, & coworker.

Friends will be received 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Friday, August 13, 2021, at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Funeral services will be officiated by Pastor David Barringer 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 14, 2021, at the funeral home. The service will be live-streamed and may be viewed by visiting https://vimeo.com/585388619 or the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care Facebook Page. Committal and interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Kalamazoo First Assembly of God, 5550 Oakland Dr., Portage, MI 49024. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.