Charlotte Ann Gates, 54, died Tuesday, April 1, 2014, at St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. She was born Aug. 21, 1959, in Ellinwood, to Franklin Frederic and Lillian Elaine (Koch) Ricker.

Charlotte graduated in 1977, as Salutatorian, from Chase High School. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Sterling College in 1981 with a bachelor's degree in English and a minor in Art. She taught the Principles of Banking evening class for 13 years at Hutchinson Community College. Charlotte was the senior vice president for The Lyons State Bank with 33 years of service. Charlotte was of the Lutheran faith, but had been attending the Church of the Holy Cross.

On June 14, 2002, Charlotte married James E. Gates in Hutchinson. He survives. Other survivors include: two sons, Stuart Smith of Brooklyn, NY and Spencer Smith and his wife Tori of Hutchinson; stepson, Jeff Gates and his wife Sarah of Hutchinson; stepdaughter, Jill Leatherbury and her husband Josh of Hutchinson; three grandchildren, Colin, Carter and Elias Leatherbury; father, Franklin Ricker of Chase; sister, Annette Cain and her husband Frank of Sterling. Charlotte was preceded in death by her mother, Lillian Ricker.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Friday, April 11, 2014, at Church of the Holy Cross, Hutchinson, with Father Joseph Eckberg presiding. Burial will be in Fairlawn Burial Park. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday with the family to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. Memorials may be made to Lyons Bell and Star Fund, Rice County Habitat for Humanity or Rice County Community Foundation, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501