Dianne Blair Gates

Mrs. Dianne Blair Gates, 69, of Rice passed away Monday in Charlottesville. The daughter of the late Garry Wyatt and Lena DeBoe Blair, she was born December 14,1941 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. Dianne graduated from Climax High School and attended Longwood College before working for Prince Edward County Court Systems and helped build the veterinary practice now known as The Ridge Animal Hospital with her husband, Dr. James Bruce Gates, Jr.

She is survived by her husband and her two children, Anne Elizabeth Ferguson Campbell and husband Mark of Maidens, James Blair Gates, wife Elizabeth and their daughter, Anna Blair, of Atlanta, GA; her siblings Garry W. Blair II and wife Gloria of Virginia Beach, John M. Blair and wife Carole of Clarksville, Susan B. Anderson and husband Wayne of Gretna, Ralph L. Blair and wife Jane of Rush Valley, UT, and D. Thomas Blair of Chatham; a very special friend, Pauline (Pateen) Frank, her \"Bridge Club Ladies,\" and her special pets, Tux, Terminator, Bo, Katze, and Buddy. She was predeceased by her brother Barry S. Blair, also of Gretna.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, May 12, 2011 6:00pm at the chapel of Puckett Funeral Home. Family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Sharon Baptist Church, c/o Betty Jo Bailey, 1860A Cumberland Road, Farmville, VA 23901, American Heart Association, or to a charity of your choice.