Julia Gates Dyer, 88, of Mechanicsville, MD and formerly of Bel Alton, MD passed away on August 22, 2013 at Hospice House of Charles County.

She was born on August 9, 1925 in Indian Head, MD, daughter of Mitchell Overton Gates and Mary Ruth (Marlow) Gates who have preceded her in death.

Julia worked for several years at P.S. Bowling & Company in La Plata, MD as a sales clerk in the candy department. She was always greeting customers with a smile, but the majority of her life was spent caring for her family. Julia was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother that spent hours embroidering, reading, watching and feeding the birds, discussing and debating politics and enjoying her little dog with her greatest enjoyment coming from cooking and caring for her family. For all these reasons and more, she will be greatly missed.

In addition to her parents, Julia was predeceased by her husband of 66 years, Thomas Austin Dyer who passed away on June 15, 2009; her brothers, James, Leroy, Raymond and Carroll; and her sisters, Jerry, Hazel and Mary Thelma.

Julia is survived by her children, Joan L. Woods of Mechanicsville, MD, Thomas J. Dyer (Kelly) of Waco, TX and Linda D. Hockett (James) of Mechanicsville, MD; sister, May Lynch (Walter) of Hughesville, MD; and 4 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews, all of which she loved very much. She also leaves behind her pet Missy that will continue to reside with her daughter Linda.

Arrangements are being handled by Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home, P.A., 30195 Three Notch Road, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622.

A private graveside committal service will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church Cemetery in Bryantown, MD.