Gene Calvin Cates

Gene C. Cates, 92, passed away on January 15, 2021 in Savannah, GA. Gene was born on July 27, 1928 in Norfolk, VA to the late William and Ozabelle Cates. Gene is also predeceased by the love of his life, Barbara Belanga Cates, whom he married in 1950. Together they raised three children in the home they purchased in 1954. In the early years, Gene worked as a carpenter and later as a supervisor for the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority from which he retired. He was a tireless worker and loved his family above all else. He was a talented artisan; he could repair, renovate, and build anything, to include a separate wing on the house which he alone designed and constructed. Each year Gene planted a garden which he enjoyed doing with his sons, and he was a Reenactor for over 20 years where he attained the rank of Sgt. Major. He had a “way with words”. Years ago he wrote a tribute to his wife, Barbara B. Cates which is now forever memorialized in bronze at their gravesite: To my loving wife Barbara: As we go through life, I will take your hand; We will walk together to the Promised Land; It does not matter where we have been; I would love to do it all over again. I love you, Gene Gene and Barbara were lifelong members of Norview Baptist Church in Norfolk. He is cherished in memory by his daughter, Susan Jean Pinkston of Savannah, GA; sons, Bruce Calvin Cates, Michael Scott Cates both of Norfolk; three grandchildren, Heather Cox Parker of Burke, Va., Shannon Combs, and Joseph Cates both of Norfolk; siblings, Elizabeth Dunlap of Virginia Beach and George Jarvis of Virginia Beach as well as many other loving family members and friends. Family: William Cates, Father (deceased) Ozabelle Cates, Mother (deceased) Barbara B. Cates, Wife (deceased) Susan Pinkston, (Daughter) Stephen Pinkston, (Son-in-law) Bruce Cates, (Son) Carol Cates, (Daughter-in-law) Michael (Scott) Cates, (Son) Mike Combs, Heather Cox Parker, (Grandchild) Scott Parker, (Heather’s husband) Shannon Combs (Grandchild) Mike Combs (Shannon’s husband) Joseph Cates, (Grandchild) Evan Parker, (Great Grandchild) Ava Parker, (Great Grandchild) Grant Parker, (Great Grandchild) Elizabeth Dunlap, (Sister) George Jarvis, (brother) A graveside service will be held on Friday, January 22, 2021, 3 p.m. at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, 6329 E. Virginia Beach Blvd., Norfolk, Virginia 23502. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Jude Children's Hospital. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.woodlawnnorfolk.com.