Leah Vaught-Gates

Leah Vaught-Gates passed away on May 4, 2026. 

Gates is survived by her husband of 16 years, Aaron Gates, as well as their four children, Landyn McGlothlin (Summer), Makenzie McGlothlin (Colton), Mikayla McGlothlin (Liam), and Kobe Gates (Karsyn), her father, Darryl Vaught; her sister, Lesia Vaught-Evans (Roy). She is preceded in death by her mother, Deletta Bowling.

As a teen and young adult, she was a professional singer at the Pine Mountain Jamboree and also guest-starred in many Branson shows. She served for 16 years as a teacher and director at ABC Preschool in Aurora. She spent the last five years of her life working as a kindergarten teacher at Berean Christian Academy in Monett. 

A visitation was held on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora. A funeral service was held 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. Contact BCA Principal Amy Jordan at 417-236-9088 or Leah’s daughter, Mikayla, with any questions regarding donations made in her honor.