REGINA FAITH GATES

Regina Faith Gates earthly journey began July 4, 1992, in San Diego, California. She was the second girl born to exceptional parents Bishop Reginald Gates & Peggy Yvonne Haynes- Gates. 

She was a beloved and devoted mother, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, and friend.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents Johnny Lee Haynes and Dorothy Ann Sanford- Haynes, and her paternal grandparents Fred Spencer and Hattie Blanche- Spencer.

Regina accepted Christ at an early age under the leadership of her father Bishop Gates at Springhill Community Church in San Diego, California.  The family later united with Grace Church under the spiritual leadership of Pastor Zac Morrison.

Regina received her formal education through the San Diego Unified School District.  She attended Freeze Elementary school.  It was there, at age nine, Regina’s eighteen-year battle would began with Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis Syndrome (PAPS) –a rare lung disease.  Yet, she pressed her way through.

She would go on to complete her secondary education at Keiller Middle School, then graduate from Lincoln High School with the class of 2010.

She then proceeded to do the remarkable.  In the midst of doctor visits, hospitalizations, and oxygen tanks, Regina continued her education at San Diego State University. There she would participate in the University’s study abroad program, where she spent a semester living in Guatemala as a part of their Spanish language immersion curriculum.

In April 2017, her son and the joy of her life arrived - Zaccai King Gates-Dillard.  Zaccai would prove to be her inspiration for pressing on, and she did, successfully completing her Bachelor of Arts Degree in 2019 from San Diego State University in Interdisciplinary Studies (Spanish, Rhetoric & Writing, and History).

In addition to a scholar Regina was an avid baker.  Birthdays were some of our family’s best days, as we could always count on Regina to make the cake of our choice on our special day, with selections ranging from her great-grandmother, Lorraine Arterberry-Sanford’s (aka Big Mama), famous carrot cake, pound cake, or red velvet cake recipe, to newer confections like her very own custom ice cream cake.

She was also our official family event planner. She would call you up, sign you up, and have you deliver items or dish 24 hours in advance if you weren’t dependable – or if you were prone to arriving at events on CPT. 

Regina was a longtime vegetarian who did not scold us when we feasted on our chicken, ribs, or ham, just as long as we didn’t pass this proclivity to her young son Zaccai “The King”.

Did somebody say she was stubborn?  Oh Yes!  So much so, that in October 2019 when medical professionals warned us to prepare for our final goodbyes, Regina said, “No, not yet.” God agreed and answered her prayers and on December 17, 2019 Regina was blessed with two new lungs from a successful double lung transplant. We were all blessed to be given another year with Regina.  

Unfortunately, the PAPS returned, and on February 9, 2021 while at home surrounded by family at 6:11am God called Regina to eternal resting place.   

Left to cherish her legacy of love and precious memories are the following: Parents Reginald & Peggy Gates, Son Zaccai King Gates-Dillard and his father DeShawn Dillard, Sister Renisha Gates, Brothers Melvin Pradd, Marvin Pradd & David Gates. Two children she gained the title of surrogate mother Amara Pradd (niece), and Shamarion Haynes (cousin), Closest and dearest lifelong friend Mia Bell-Pinckney, a host of other nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

Her loving and caring personality will be missed by all who really knew her!

A WALK-THROUGH VIEWING ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2021 FROM 3PM-5PM AT ANDERSON-RAGSDALE MORTUARY. SERVICES ARE MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2021 AT 11AM FROM GRACE CHURCH, 8487 PARADISE VALLEY RD, BURIAL TO FOLLOW AT MT. HOPE CEMETERY. 

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