Nada Stallings Gates

Nada Stallings Gates, loved by so many, passed away peacefully at her home in Midland, surrounded by her family on Saturday, September 26, 2026, just short of her 95^th birthday.

Nada Dean Stallings was born on October 7, 1931, in Lorenzo, Texas, to Harold and Ada Stallings.  She was truly a child of The Great Depression.  Her father, Harold, worked building highways throughout New Mexico, and the family moved frequently.  They initially lived in a tent for several years before being able to afford a trailer house.  Nada grew up in a close-knit family with younger siblings, Lenoy, Geneva, and Charlie.  On weekends and holidays, the family loved to explore the beautiful areas of New Mexico.  Even as a child, Nada had a sweet personality and warm smile that would remain with her throughout her life. Because of her family’s frequent moves, she never attended the same school for more than a year but advanced quickly and graduated from high school when she was just 16.  That was in Abernathy, Texas, where her parents bought and operated a laundry.

She then enrolled in home economics at Texas Technological College in Lubbock for a few semesters before transferring to Draughon’s Business College, a small two-year school also in Lubbock.  We’re not sure why she transferred to Draughon’s, but it sure worked out well!  While at Draughon’s, she fell in love with Robert (Bob) Gates from Artesia, New Mexico.  She was initially attracted to Bob after he had the distinct honor of being voted “the second most handsome man at Draughon’s”.  Nada took matters into her own hands, sat down beside him and asked, “when are you going to ask me out?” And the rest was history!

Bob and Nada got married on June 25, 1950, when she was 18 and he was 22.  Together they raised three sons – Steve, Mike, and Larry – in a wonderful small-town environment in Artesia.  Family and friends were always welcome at the Gates house, to visit, play, and eat meals.

Nada was more than a wonderful wife and mom.  She was the household anchor for her husband and sons as they worked, went to school, played sports, hunted, fished, and tinkered with cars.  Nada actively participated in the First Presbyterian Church of Artesia where she served as an Elder and Deacon, and on numerous committees.  She was also active in PEO and loved playing bridge with her friends.

Every summer the family would head to the upper Rio Grande near Creede, Colorado, first camping out and then enjoying the cabin Bob and Nada purchased in 1970.  The cabin became a wonderful gathering place for the family and friends.  Bob and Nada cherished their cabin and continually improved it for their loved ones.  It remains in the family today and continues to be a special place to gather for fishing, hiking, four wheeling, and just to visit, play games, or read.  No TV shows allowed!  Although, having internet for the last few years has been a great modern addition.

Once the grandkids began arriving, Nada successfully convinced Bob to move to Midland in 1993 to be closer to family. They loved Midland and its friendly people.  Nada’s heart was broken by Bob’s passing in 1996 and later by the loss of her middle son, Mike, in 2014. Through these heartbreaking losses, she continued to embrace life and cherish her family and friends, finding comfort in her faith and knowing that Bob and Mike are in heaven with God for eternity and that she would join them someday.  She especially loved watching Mike’s family continue to grow and flourish!

She truly loved being with her kids and grandkids. She once said she felt like God had created her to be a grandma.  She lit up when playing games, hosting tea parties, and baking treats with her grandkids.  She also loved to travel, whether attending soccer or tennis tournaments, or traveling to see new places.  She traveled to Salt Lake City to be with kids and grandkids on ski trips, and to look after her grandson Erik.  Her family all loved having “Gramma Nada” with us!  Of course, she also went to the Creede cabin every summer with family and continued to be a good steward of maintaining that family treasure.  In addition, she enjoyed traveling with the First Presbyterian of Midland’s “Prime Timers” to Great Britain, led by Reverend Jerry Hilton, and to New Zealand, led by Reverend Dick Braun.

Nada never hesitated to babysit or care for a sick or injured loved one or acquaintance, for as long as she was needed.  Countless times, she nursed loved ones back to health and would always follow up with additional thoughtful suggestions and remedies.  She would always have special “get well” gifts and phone calls, showing she continued to care long after the loved one was recovered.

Towards her last days on earth, she got more forgetful (but who doesn’t?).  She did remember key items.  One memory was having the fortune of attending a dinner where Dr. Ben Carson spoke, who she deeply admired.  He was kind enough to autograph his book for her.  Mom remembered “connecting with” and making friends with Ben’s wife, Candy.  Sweet memories.

Nada was preceded in death by her parents Harold and Ada Stallings, husband Bob Gates, son Mike Gates, and brother Lenoy Stallings.

She is survived by children, Steve Gates and his wife, Lori of Salt Lake City; daughter-in-law Paige Gates (widow of the late Mike Gates) of Midland; and Larry Gates and his wife, Karen of Midland.  She’s the proud grandmother of Erik Gates of Denver; Carrie Hawkins and husband Grant of Midland; Wheatley Scaling and husband Joe of Midland; Kathryn Dyke and husband Eric of Abu Dhabi, UAE; Elizabeth Sollee and husband Michael of Midland; Robert Gates and wife Meghan of The Woodlands, TX; and step-granddaughter Jamie Gilgren and husband Brian of Loveland, CO.  She also has been blessed with wonderful great grandchildren – Annabelle and Matthew Sollee; Corinne and Gigi Hawkins; Carson, Callie, and James Dyke; Henry, Eloise, and Lyla Gates; Carrie Mae and Gates Scaling; and step great grandchild Ash Gilgren.  Nada is also survived by her sister Geneva Scott, her brother Charlie Stallings, and her sister-in-law Tommye Ruth Stallings (widow of the late Lenoy Stallings) — all of Lubbock.

Our family has so many to thank for Nada’s care.  We want to especially thank JoAnn Shelton, who has been loyal to Mom for many years.  In addition, we’re so grateful to caregivers Martha Ramirez, Aida Prieto, Crystal Reyes, Tanisha Williams, and JoAnn Rice, as well as the Heart to Heart Hospice folks.  Nada also loved her special garden expert and friend, Mike Franklin, who would loyally visit her.

Visitation will be held Thursday, October 8, from 5 to 7 pm at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home.  Graveside services will be at Resthaven Memorial Park on Friday, October 9, at 11 am followed by a celebration of life at 12 noon at First Presbyterian Church in Midland, Texas with Dr. Steve Schorr officiating.

In lieu of flowers, Nada would be honored by a donation to First Presbyterian Church, Heart to Heart Hospice, or Helping Hands, all of Midland, TX.

Ephesians 5:2 – “And walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

John 14:1-2 – “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father’s house are many mansions:  if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.”

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland.  Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com.

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