She was born in Nottingham, England, on October 11, 1926, a daughter of the late Herbert William Baker and Dorothy Lydia Cooper. On November 23, 1946, she married John Henry Bates Jr. in Nottingham, and she then arrived in the United States to join her husband’s family on December 12, 1946.

Her husband preceded her in death January 31, 1997. She is also preceded in death by a sister, Yvonne Breen, and a sister-in-law and close friend, Ruth Bates.

Survivors include a son, Michael J. (Carolyn) Bates of Annapolis, Maryland.; two daughters, Sue (Lynn) Fullerton of Bellefontaine and Stephanie (Dennis) Norris of Westerville, Ohio; a sister-in-law, Lucy Bates Persinger of St. Paris, Ohio; seven grandchildren, William, Margaret, and Katie Bates, Elizabeth and Ian Fullerton, and Jordan and Amanda Norris; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A homemaker, she was a member of the United Church of Christ in West Liberty, where she was active with the Crusader’s Sunday school class, the Missionary Aid Society and was in charge of the bereavement committee for many years.

She was a member of the Logan County Extension Homemaker’s Club and loved reading, knitting, and sewing. She enjoyed feeding birds and playing with her cats. She took pleasure in baking cookies and cooking for the family and church pot-luck dinners. She was most proud of her children and grandchildren.

Pastor Will Stackhouse conducts a memorial service at 11 a.m. Monday, November 24, 2008, at the United Church of Christ in West Liberty, where is calling is one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at the Fairview Cemetery in West Liberty.

Memorial contributions may be made to the West Liberty EMS, the Logan County District Library or to her church. The Kauffman-Eichholtz Funeral Home in West Liberty handled the arrangements, where condolences to the family may be  expressed at eichholtz@embarqmail.com