Lula Mae (Gates) Preston

Lula Mae (Gates) Preston was born on Jan. 5, 1927, to the late Bertha and Charlie Gates in La Grange. At the earl age of 13, she accepted Christ as her Lord and Saviour and was baptized at St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Mathis. Mother Preston faithfully remained a member at St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church from 1949 until the lord called her home May 18, 2026.

Under the leadership of former Pastor Harold Penson, she was appointed Mother of the Church, where she remained active and devoted in service to both church and community, singing in the choir, serving as a prayer warrior, working as a custodian, and helping wherever needed. Among her favorite songs to sing were “It’s Nobody’s Fault but Mine” and “Walk with me Lord”.

Mother Preston attended Halstead School for The Colored in Halstead. In 1945 she met her love of her life, Verge Shaw Preston, who had recently returned home from World War II. The two were united in marriage on April 1, 1946, in La Grange. Before her husband’s passing, they could be found together at evening church services, where she sang while he played the violin.

Mother Preston lived to witness 17 Presidents of the United States and considered it a great honor to see the nations first African American president. During her lifetime, she experienced many historic events and hardships, including the Great Depression and worldwide economic downturns.

Her greatest cherishment was raising her eight children and being an active part of her grandchildren’s lives. She loved cooking pastries and preparing meals for her family to enjoy. She dedicated herself to caring for her family at home until her youngest children entered school. She later worked as a cook at The Bon Ton Restaurant and eventually served for 15 years with La Grange ISD as a cook in the Hermes Elementary School cafeteria.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, one sister, and five great-grandchildren.

She leaves to cherish her memory and legacy: four sons, Clennon Preston (Willie Mae) of Houston; Leonard Preston (Cleo) of Houston; Edward Presto (Judy) of Houston; and Earl Preston (Gale) of La Grange; four daughters, Ruth Nelson (Daryl) of Humble; Linda King (Rucker Sr.) of Fayetteville; Alberta Preston (Ed) of La Grange; and Virgie Stubblefield (Carl) of Houston; one step-son, Verge Preston Jr. of San Antonio; two brothers, Cleo Gates of Angleton and Charles Gates of California; 30 grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren, seven great-great-grandchildren; one aunt, Beaulah Davis, three nieces, one newphew, and a host of other loving relatives and friends.

Visitation for Mother Prestion will be held Friday, May 29 from 4-7 p.m. at Tommy E. Taylor Funeral Home in La Grange.

Funeral services will be held at El Cristo Baptist Church in La Grange at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 30, 2026 with Bishop Isaiah East officiating. Burial will follow at the La Grange City Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Tommy E. Taylor Funeral Home in La Grange.