Rachel Bates

Rachel Amanda Bates passed away peacefully on Tues. Dec. 27, 2022. She was surrounded by her family and pastor. Rachel was born January 4, 1946 in Bad Axe Mi, the youngest of 10 to Minnie (Eggert) and Herman Lawitzke. She was proud to be a bit of a medical miracle when an alert doctor discovered that she had an rH incompatibility with her mother and she was transferred to U/M children’s hospital to receive life-saving treatment. At the age of five she helped some of her brothers once in the field by driving the tractor in a straight line. She got pulled over when she was 14 driving her mom and dad to Detroit for a doctor's appointment. After high school, she met her future husband Donald A Bates, whom she married on November 14, 1964. They were married for nearly 48 years. During their marriage, they were able to travel throughout the US in their “ Aluminum Twinkie” (Airstream Travel Trailer). They traveled from Alaska to Florida, to Graceland, and Yellowstone National Park, from coast to coast. She also regularly traveled back to Port Hope to see friends and family.

Rachel was proud to have been the unit secretary at Botsford Commons and her work with the Airstream Club as the Membership Secretary and the editor of the monthly newsletter. Her daughter and daughter-in-law were often tasked with the job of being the proofreader.

Rachel loved her church Holy Cross and all its members. She spent time making prayer shawls for those who needed them. She also made friends wherever she lived. When she moved into her condo, she quickly became the toast of the association, going to plays and teas and joining “Thirsty Thursdays” during the summer. She also loved spending time with her groups of friends having meals and going to concerts. She was especially fond of her new group of “Tea Ladies”.

Rachel always liked to try new things and always loved learning about new things. She liked to try new recipes, bake and make bread. Every Christmas she would make little chocolate treats to put in the stockings of all the family members. She loved scrapbooking and making cards. She loved gardening which also included a beautiful Fairy garden. She liked to grow vegetables and a wide array of wild flowers and decorations in her garden with light houses that she loved and various statues that she collected, plus bird baths.

Rachel was preceded in death by her parents, siblings and her husband Don. She is survived by her children; Corbin (Hazel), daughters Dawn (Kim), and Trudi (Tina). Also surviving her are eight grandchildren: Caitlin, Sean, Tessa, Joshua, Bethany, Josiah(Kate), Jon and Ben(Eva) as well as her sister-in-law-law Janice, and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Novi, MI or Port Hope Historical Society.

A celebration of life will be held on May 6, 2023 at 11am, gathering at 10am, at Church of the Holy Cross 407000 W. 10 Mile Rd. Novi, MI 48375. A memorial luncheon, at church, will follow the service at 12:30pm.