Alesha Renette Gates

Alesha Gates, loving mother of two beautiful daughters, transitioned to her forever home on July 23, 2023. 

Born April 3, 1979, in Chicago, Illinois to Betty Ann Gates & Charles Woods. Alesha
was the eldest of three children and spent her childhood in North Portland. As a child,
Alesha would fill her days playing with her family and siblings, riding bikes, eating red vines and watching her favorite show, Blossom. As a teen, you could find her dancing or singing Aaliyah songs. People would actually call her Aaliyah due to how she wore her hair, and her dazzling smile. 

Alesha was a scholar and excelled in her classes at Benson High School. Here she
gained a love for the medical field & furthered her education at Oregon State University. 

After college, she went on to have two children, Maya and Jasmine. Her daughters
meant the world to her and she took pride in being their mother. They were her reason to smile. 

Everyone that had the honor of knowing Alesha, could tell you that her smile would light
up any room. Her infectious laugh and bubbly personality would make you feel like
you’ve known her forever. She was a jokester and would always find a way for a
punchline in the middle of a convo that would make you laugh until your stomach hurt.
She made it a point to show love and compassion to all that she crossed paths with. 
If you needed to talk, Alesha was a listening ear. If you needed encouragement, she
was your personal cheerleader, and if you simply needed a hug, hers were the best! 

She is survived by her mother, Betty Ann Gates, father Charles Woods (Angela),
brothers Deone Gates (Daisha), Charles Woods and Kendall Woods, sister Keiana
Gates, beloved daughters, Maya Brazile and Jasmine Mackaman and bonus children,
Kayla Mackaman and Daniel Mackaman, as well as a multitude of aunts, uncles,
cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held for Alesha on Thursday, August 17th starting at 11:00 am, in the Rose City Chapel.

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