Mrs. Margerine Bates

Our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, “Doll” ascended into heaven to be with the Lord on Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at the age of 74 after suffering a short illness at St. Mary’s Hospital. Doll was born January 30, 1941 in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, the daughter of the late Paul and Annie Maude House Jones. She married W. D. Bates in 1957, who preceded her in death in August of 2004. To this union were born six children; Cynthia, Larry, Yolanda, Regina, Reginald and Tony. Doll was very active in church in her early years serving as YPWW, Sunshine Band and Sunday School teacher. She also enjoyed volunteering at Nelle Haley Elementary School and served as the school’s grandmother. Further, she loved people and proved this by visiting the sick and offering encouragement to those who needed it. She enjoyed being with family and making people laugh. “Doll” taught her children to love and look out for each other and to this day they continue to take care of one another. She was grateful for all the Lord had provided for her in life. She fought a good fight and kept the faith and taught her family to do the same. She leaves to cherish her memory, two sisters; Ruth Jones and Virginia Gray; brother, Paul Jones; sister-in-law (Willie); five children; Cynthia (Gurnie) Doster, Yolanda (Anthony) Sullivan, Regina (Mark) Phillips, all of Houston, TX; two sons; Larry and Tony Bates, both of Saginaw, MI; sixteen grandchildren; Gurnie, Jucowah, Quran, Tyre, Qua, Kaylim, James, Le-Anthony, Larricia, Larry, Lajuan, Theresa, Tonyea, Tony, Jaquan, and MyAngel; twenty-three great grandchildren; three godchildren; Duane Ryan, Andrea Valentine and Quinn Gaskin; three friends; Mamie Jones, Mary Joiner, and Catherine Davis and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives. Besides her parents and her husband, Margerine “Doll’ Bates was preceded in death by her son, Reginald Bates, two sisters, Lillie Rushing and Servada Avery. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 14, 2015 at Bethlehem Baptist Church, 3309 Bundy Street, Pastor Lafayette Simpson, host pastor. Bishop Zachary Williamson will officiate with interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call at the Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 North Jefferson Avenue on Thursday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m.

Mrs. Margerine Bates

January 30, 1941 - August 5, 2015