Lula Mae (Gates) Preston

Lula Mae (Gates) Preston was born on January 5, 1927, to the late Bertha and Charlie Gates in La Grange Texas. At the earl age of 13, she excepted Christ as her Lord and Saviour and was baptized at St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Mathis. Mother Preston remained a member at St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church from 1940 until the lord saw she was tired and welcome her home May 18, 2026.

She was appointed Mother of The Church under the leadership of her former Pastor Harold Penson, and she continued to work in the church, she was active singing in the choir, a prayer warrior, custodian and varies other things in the church and community. Her favorite song that she loved to sing was “Its Nobody Fault but Mine” and “Walk with Me Lord”

Before her husband passed, you could find them at any 3 O'clock evening church service, performing together, she sang while her husband played the violin.
Mother Preston lived to see 17 Presidents of the United States, and it was an honor for her to see the 1st African American President, she has a history of being able to see several interventions during her time of life such as living through the Great Depression worldwide economic downturn that began in 1929 and lasted until about 1939.

Mother Preston attended” Halstead School for The Colored”, Halstead, Tx. until the 8th grade and got permission from her parents to quit and move to Houston to live with her uncle to do domestic work. She returned to La Grange after spending a few years there.
In 1945 she met her” Love” of her life, Verge Shaw Preston who was returning home from World War II, and they were united in Holy Matrimony on April1, 1946.

On August 20, 1947, Mother Preston and her husband, Verge was blessed with their 1 first born son the oldest and name him “Clennon”. As years went by, Gods blessed them with 7 more children, Leonard, Ruth, Edward, Linda, Earl, Alberta and Virgie.
She stayed home and took care of her family until the last of her children entered school and she went back to doing domestic housework, working as a cook at The Bon Ton Restaurant in La Grange and later was employed by the La Grange Independent School District for 15 years as a cook in the Hermes Elementary Cafeteria.

Her greatest cherishment was raising her 8 children and being a part of all her grandchildren life. She loved cooking all types of pastries and other dishes for her family and others to enjoy.
Mother Lula Preston transition into the arms of the Lord, May 18, 2026, 9:54PM. (“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8)

She leaves to cherish her memory and legacy 4 boys and 4 girls,1 Step-son, Clennon Preston (Willie Mae) Houston Tx., Leonard Preston (Cleo) Houston Tx., Ruth Nelson, (Daryl) Humble Tx., Edward Preston, (Judy) Houston, Tx., Linda King (Rucker) Fayetteville, Tx., Earl Preston (Gale) La Grange Tx., Alberta Preston, (Ed) La Grange, Tx., Virgie Stubblefield (Carl) Houston, Tx., (Stepson) Verge Preston, Jr., San Antonia, TX.

Mother Lula Preston also leaves behind 2 brothers, (Cleo Gates), of Angleton Tx., (Charles Gates), of California (30) Grandchildren, (54) Great Grandchildren, (7) Great Great Great Grandchildren, (1) Aunt, Beaulah Davis, (3) Nieces, (1) Nephew and a host of other family and friends.
Mother Lula Mae Preston was preceded in death by her husband, Verge Shaw Preston, her mother, Bertha Gates, her father, Charlie Gates, a sister, Willie Mae Taylor, (5) Great grandchildren, Branon Frazier, Amare’ Phillips, Russell Twin baby boys, & Z’Cora Preston

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