It is with sorrow and gratitude that we mark the passing of Leah Beth Gates of Crane, MO — sorrow at the loss, gratitude for the life.
The chapters of her life were many; these are some of them.
Leah held deeply to the Baptist faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew her best.
The traditions Leah loved will continue to hold those she loved.
After a long and hard-fought battle with brain cancer, our beloved mother, wife, sister, and friend, Leah Vaught-Gates, went home to be with Jesus in the early morning hours of May 4, 2026. Leah dedicated her life to her faith, family, and community. She will forever be remembered for her huge heart, vibrant personality, loving warmth, beautiful singing voice, undeniable strength, and unwavering trust in the Lord.
Leah is survived by her devoted husband of sixteen wonderful years, Aaron Gates, as well as their four children, Landyn McGlothlin (Summer), Makenzie McGlothlin (Colton), Mikayla McGlothlin (Liam), and Kobe Gates (Karsyn), whom she loved more than life itself. She is also survived by her father, Darryl Vaught (Dean); her sister, Lesia Vaught-Evans (Roy), who was her built-in best friend; and her niece and nephew, Tiffany Evans-Guess (Thomas) and Trevor Evans, whom she loved as if they were her own children. Leah is preceded in death by her beautiful mother, Deletta Bowling, and many other family members who remained cherished pieces of her heart until the very end.
Leah touched countless lives during her time on this earth. As a teen and young adult, she was a professional singer at the Pine Mountain Jamboree and also guest-starred in many Branson shows. Leah had a remarkable, God-given talent and sang like an angel. With a voice that was soft, powerful, and full of emotion, she shared her gift with the world and used it to praise her Heavenly Father.
Upon becoming a mother, Leah's love for children led her heart toward working with "littles." She served for 16 years as a teacher and director at ABC Preschool in Aurora, Missouri. Leah spent the last five years of her life working as a kindergarten teacher at Berean Christian Academy in Monett, Missouri. She loved the work she was called to do at BCA as an educator and Praise Team leader. Her passion for teaching children about Jesus impacted many young lives and families. Leah also formerly served as the director of the Aurora Mighty Mite Cheerleading program for many years, where she coached and encouraged hundreds of young girls and instilled values that are remembered to this day.
The light that Leah displayed for Jesus was palpable to everyone who came into contact with her. She was a proud member of Awaken Church. On any given Sunday morning, you could always find Leah worshiping on the front row while her husband, Aaron, preached the Word. Leah and Aaron worked together in ministry, where they pastored, led worship, and directed youth programs at many churches over their 16 years of marriage. Leah was a true Proverbs 31 woman, with an unshakable love for God and the purest servant's heart.
In this time of unimaginable grief, Leah would want those who love her to hold her favorite verse dear to their hearts: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Through His grace and mercy, we have hope for the future, where we will reunite with Leah once again in Paradise.
A visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora, Missouri. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Reavisville First Baptist Church. Burial will follow at the Mars Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family graciously asks for donations to be made to the Leah Gates Scholarship Program at Berean Christian Academy. Please contact BCA Principal Amy Jordan at (417) 236-9088 or Leah's daughter, Mikayla, with any questions regarding donations made in Leah's honor.
Online condolences may be shared at this website.
