Rita Elisabeth Johnson Gates, 93, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, Sept 29, 2012 in Niceville, Florida.

She was born in Malden, Massachusetts on August 20, 1919.

She married Paul Norcross Gates on November 1, 1945, spent 30 years traveling extensively with him during his U.S. Air Force career, and retiring in 1975 to Punta Gorda, FL where she resided until 2007.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Lt. Col Paul N. Gates, her brother,

Robert H. Johnson, and her parents G. Ivar and Martha Seaburg Johnson.

She will be greatly missed by her two loving daughters, Sherry Gates Brocker and her husband, Charles, Marcia Gates Lord and her husband, Kenneth; three grandchildren, Charles Paul Brocker, Kimberly Lord Brewer and Kenneth L. Lord II; two great grandchildren, Isabella Brocker and Jace Brewer; niece, Elizabeth Leslie.

She spent her life devoted to and caring for her family. Her hobbies included gardening, needlework, genealogy and volunteer work, including the U.S. Veterans and the Girl Scouts of America.

A Committal Service will be held at the Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida on Tuesday, October 9, 2012, at 1 PM with Pastor Chuck Poplin officiating.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in her name to the charity/organization of your choice.

 Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.emeraldcoastfuneralhome.com