Rita Maria Gates, age 64, died on May 12, 2024, in Broken Arrow, OK. Rita was born on August 10, 1959, in Tulsa, OK to the parents Louis Rodrigues and Joan Beil Rodrigues. She graduated from Rogers High School in the class of 1977.

Rita married Robert Gates on November 3, 1999, in Eureka Springs, Arkansas and made their home in Tulsa, OK. Rita brought 2 children into this marriage, her daughter Jacqueline Cox, and her son Julio Melendez. Robert brought 4 children into the family, his daughter Crystal Goldsberry, his son Nathan Gates, his stepdaughters Gina Nerger and Rachel Bates. She lived her life with Robert happily managing a blended family of 6 children and 10 grandchildren. Her family and friends will always remember her as devoted to her family with a wonderful heart willing to do anything for them.
She worked at American Bank and Trust for 11 years in several positions ending as an Assistant Auditor in Tulsa, OK. She has worked for the past 7 years in the family business Alpha Medical Laboratory as the Financial Controller.

She is survived by her husband Robert Gates, her daughter Jacqueline Cox, her son Julio Melendez and her grandchildren Isabella Cox, Amelia Cox, and Bentley Melendez. Her surviving stepchildren are Crystal Goldsberry, Nathan Gates, Gina Nerger, and Rachel Bates. Her surviving step grandchildren are Braden Weeks-Gates, Cannon Gates, Ava Gates, Jack Nerger, Ana Nerger, Madison Bates, and Evan Bates.

Her funeral is scheduled for Friday May 17, 2024, at Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel located at 3612 E 91st Street S., Tulsa, OK 74137 at 2:00 PM. If you choose, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Oklahoma Project Woman:
https://oklahomaprojectwoman.org/give-help/