Birth date: Jun 12, 1934 Death date: May 3, 2015
Hilda Joyce Gates, age 80, of Troy, Michigan passed away in Royal Oak on May 3, 2015. She was born on June 12, 1934 to Huston and Mollissa Robinson in Sparta, Tennessee. Beloved wife of the late Graydon Gates. Dear Mother of Mado Read Obituary
I wish a knew sooner that my aunt had passed. She was a special lady.My dad adored her.(Alfred Robinson)
Before Madonna was born I remember staying with Aunt Joyce and Uncle Graydon. She brought out swatches of material and helped me make some doll clothes. She amazed me when she wallpapered the house on Torpey ... especially the bathroom with the pretty foil ... not just the walls but the ceiling, too.
She was such a neat housekeeper and I was so surprised to visit and find that Madonna had a pet white "mouse" that loved Captain Crunch cereal. From its size I would have called it a rat. A mouse in Aunt Joyce's house! I wouldn't have believed it if I had not seen it.
Most of my life I have lived a great distance away and could not visit much but I am so glad to have had Aunt Joyce and her girls in my life. Ramona Kaye
I will miss her very, very much!
A Mother’s Crown
Heaven lit up with a mighty presence,
as the Angels all looked down.
Today the Lord was placing the jewels
Into our mother’s crown.
He held up a golden crown,
as my darling mother looked on.
He said in His gentle voice,
‘I will now explain each one.’
‘The first gem,’ He said, ‘is a Ruby,
and it’s for endurance alone,
for all the nights you waited up
for your children to come home.’
‘For all the nights by their bedside,
you stayed till the fever went down.
For nursing every little wound,
I add this ruby to your crown.’
‘An emerald, I’ll place by the ruby,
for leading your child in the right way.
For teaching them the lessons,
That made them who they are today.’
‘For always being right there,
through all life’s important events.
I give you a sapphire stone,
for the time and love you spent.’
‘For untying the strings that held them,
when they grew up and left home.
I give you this one for courage.’
Then the Lord added a garnet stone.
‘I’ll place a stone of amethyst,’ He said.
‘For all the times you spent on your knees,
when you asked if I’d take care of your children,
and then for having faith in Me.’
‘I have a pearl for every little sacrifice
that you made without them knowing.
For all the times you went without,
to keep them happy, healthy and growing.’
‘And last of all I have a diamond,
the greatest one of all,
for sharing unconditional love
whether they were big or small.’
‘It was your love that helped them grow
Feeling safe and happy and proud
A love so strong and pure
It could shift the darkest cloud.’
After the Lord placed the last jewel in,
He said, ‘Your crown is now complete,
Now take your place in Heaven
With your children at your feet.’
A Mother’s Crown – By Author Unknown
