Mary Cates

Born February 3, 1928 to the late Bernard and Edna Heitzman, Mary is also preceded in passing by her loving husband Ernie, her granddaughter Julie Evans, and son-in-laws Danny Evans and Richard Wilder.

Here to carry on her memory are her children, Karen Wilder and Bonny Evans; grandchildren Amy Evans, Angela Evans, Aaron Wilder, and Jodie Roberts (Dave); great-grandchildren Angelique Smith (Anthony), Mariah Flournoy, Mikayla Flournoy, Trevor Wilder, Savannah Bibbs, Alexa Bibbs, Alison Roberts, Jace Wilder, Caroline Roberts, and Emily Roberts; great-great-grandchildren Brayden Smith, Juliette Smith, and Arayah Mask; her brother R. Dale Bowling (Kathy); and nieces and great nephews.

Mary was an extraordinary Christian woman who never met a stranger, ensuring to treat everyone like family. Her favorite hobbies were knitting, quilting and sewing, even making clothes for her daughters. She also adored scrapbooking, and has been doing it since before it became popular.

Mary was always involved in numerous Church activities such as teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir, and volunteering for many women’s mission organizations. Over her lifetime she attended Carlisle Ave. Baptist, Melbourne Heights Baptist, and is a current member of West Broadway Baptist. She also volunteered at Dare to Care and Jefferson Street Chapel, along with her doting husband Ernie.

Due to COVID-19 all services will be private for immediate family only. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 300, Boone NC 28607, or Dare to Care, 5803 Fern Valley Road, Louisville KY 40228.