Bara Gater

Bara Joe Gater was born on April 8, 1930, in Hutchinson, Kansas, to her parents, Charles W. Smith, Sr. and Minnie M. Duncan Smith. She was the first born in the family. She was raised surrounded by her brother, Charles. When Bara was born, she only weighed 2 lbs and was not expected to live but with the grace of almighty God, she lived to raise four sons and blessed to reach the age of 85. To God Be The Glory! Bara received her formal education in Des Moines, Iowa, where she graduated from North High School. In April of 1956, Bara united in holy matrimony to Charles H. Gater. This marriage was later dissolved. Bara was the proud mother of five sons, Terrell, Juan, Shawn, Mark and Jeffrey. They all remember her as Christian mother and a woman who took great pride and joy in the care and nurture of her sons. She was later blessed with six grandchildren; four great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild, who all were an additional source of joy and pride in her life. They lovingly called her "gran or grandma" and fondly remember her doing things with them and for them. They remember her encouraging them to do well in school and always supporting them in their school activities. She kept them laughing and she was always full of joy. By profession, Bara was employed by the Denver Health Medical Center in Medical Records. She worked there for over twenty years. After retiring, she became employed by the Secretary of State Office and worked with the late Secretary of State, Vicky Buckley. She remained in that position for twelve years. Her co-workers loved working with her because of warm and receiving personality and how she often gave them advice. She also received two awards for "Outstanding Service" from Mayor Federico Pena. A woman of faith and belief in the Lord, Bara accepted the Lord as her personal savior early in her life. She has been a faithful and dedicated member of King Baptist Church for thirty three years. She has served her church as a member of the King Baptist Church Choir for twenty eight years. She loved the fellowship shared with her church family and she taught her children to have the right relationship with the Lord and she did so by bringing them to church and they all worshipped together. Bara was a fun loving woman who enjoyed life and those she encircled. She was a true die hard Denver Bronco fan. She loved hosting team parties in her home while watching the games and all were invited as long as they were a Bronco fan; if not, you might not have gotten in the house. She also loved basketball, watching her favorite soaps, eating ice cream and playing bid whiz. Her closest friends, Phyllis Mays, Edith Johnson and all her Duncan Family members will miss the happy and precious moments they spent together and the fact that she was a friend and confidante. She will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known this kind and wonderful woman who always had a loving smile and pleasant personality that never changed. To know Bara was to love her. She is preceded in death by a son, Juan; and her parents. Bara Joe Gater departed this life to the embrace of the Lord on July 2, 2015, in Denver, Colorado. Those left to cherish her memory and mourn her loss include her 4 sons, Terrell A. Smith, Sr. of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Shawn M. (Teresa) Gater, Mark D. Gater, and Jeffrey L. Gater all of Denver, Colorado; 6 grandchildren, Chanea L. Gater of Denver, Nakia A. Gater of Orlando, FL, Stephan M. Gater of Denver, Terrell A. Smith, II of Kalamazoo, MI, Darian R. Gater of Denver and Crissana M. (Franklin) Fowlkes of Kalamazoo, MI; 4 great grandchildren, Jalen M. Robinson, G'Vaughn G. Hawkins, G'Maun A. Hawkins all of Denver and Jordyn F. Fowlkes of Kalamazoo, MI; and 1 great-great grandchild, Jalynn Z. Robinson of Denver and a host of cousins other relatives and many friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremation - 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, Colorado
Visitation: 7/10/2015 at 4:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 7/11/2015 at 11:00 AM - King Baptist Church - 3370 Ivy Street, Denver, CO