Julia Gaskins

Mrs. Julia Ann Pate Gaskins, 90, passed away on January 3, 2026, surrounded by her family in her home in New Bern, North Carolina. A devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and faithful servant of Christ, Julia’s life was a testament to grace, devotion, and unwavering faith.

Born on June 20, 1935, in Bridgeton, North Carolina, Julia grew up surrounded by the warmth of family and community. She began her education at Bridgeton Elementary School and later attended New Bern High School. Her deep commitment to her faith led her to pursue further studies at Free Will Baptist Bible College in Nashville, Tennessee, where she earned a three-year Bible Diploma in Christian Education.

Julia accepted Jesus as her Savior at the tender age of six and remained a steadfast follower of Christ throughout her life. Her spiritual journey was not only personal but also deeply communal—she used her beautiful singing voice to glorify God and uplift those around her. Whether in church services or family gatherings, her voice brought comfort and joy to many.

For over 67 years, Julia shared a remarkable marriage with the love of her life, Joseph Aldric Gaskins. Their union was one of enduring love and mutual devotion — a foundation upon which they built a strong and loving family.

Julia was the proud mother of four children: Ginny, Joe, Mark, and Chris. Her nurturing spirit extended into the next generations through her cherished grandsons: Raymond, Joseph, and Marcus. She delighted in being a great-grandmother to Finley, Cohen, Lucy, and Pate—and found great joy in knowing that another great-grandchild would be born later in 2026.

Julia is survived by her husband, Aldric, daughter Ginny (Ray), two sons, Mark (Elaine) and Chris (Sherri). She is also survived by her three grandsons, Raymond (Nena), Joseph (Allison), and Marcus (Jill), as well as her four great grandchildren, Finley, Cohen, Lucy, and Pate. She was preceded in death by her parents, Grover Cleveland Pate and Julia Hester Pate, and son, Joseph Aldric Gaskins, Jr.

Her legacy is one of faithfulness—to God, to her family, and to the values she held dear. Those who knew Julia will remember her for the light she brought into every room through word, song, and laughter. She had a contagious and remarkable sense of humor and an incredible love for her family.

A celebration of Julia’s life will be held on Thursday, January 8th at 1:00 pm at Cotten Funeral Home, New Bern, NC. The family will receive visitors from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. Following the service, interment will be at Greenleaf Memorial Park in New Bern, NC.

Cotten Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Gaskins family.