Velma Carlene Bates

BATES, Velma (nee Thomasson), 91, of Saint Louis, MO, passed away on March 18, 2017. Velma was the beloved wife of the late James G. Bates, Sr. and daughter of the late Carl and Ada Ella Thomasson (nee Cook). She was the loving mother of James G. (Robin) Bates, Jr. and Dr. John R. (Monica) Bates. Beloved grandmother to Sarah (Brad) Zimmerman, Scott (Lauren) Bates, Caroline (James) Hagan and great grandmother of Blake Zimmerman. Velma was the dear sister of Ada Ella Thomasson, Carl Joe (Marion) Thomasson and the late Paul Thomasson, Shelton Thomasson, Edith Welland, Ethel Shaw, Alma Kerlagon, Mabel Carvik, and Alberta Bannister.

Velma and James celebrated 65 years of marriage. She created a great family life wherever they landed, Kansas City, Missouri; Lima, Ohio; York, Pennsylvania; Greensborough, North Carolina; and came back home to St. Louis in 1972. She held many jobs in all these locations including civil service, Ford motor company and dental receptionist. She retired after 19 years with Jimco on Bates Street, St. Louis, Missouri.

Velma enjoyed watching her boys wrestle, swim and debate. She was proud to cheer on her favorite sports teams from North Carolina State and University of Missouri. Coincidently these were the two universities that her sons’ completed their college degrees. She was extremely proud that Jim Jr. and John were able to pursue their chosen careers.

Velma, aka, Auntie Whoop, Mom, Gram, and GG was a great cook, baker, canner, gardener, seamstress, and later became interested in needle point.

Velma and James enjoyed studying and trading in the stock market. As grandparents, they traveled east to Virginia, Disney, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, St. Kitts, and The Cayman Islands, cruised through the Panama Canal, and traveled west to the Grand Tetons and Arizona.

They are loved and will be missed by family, relatives and friends.

Services: Memorial service 7: 00 pm, Thursday, March 23, 2017 at Heiligtag-Lang-Fendler Funeral Home, 1081 Jeffco Blvd. Arnold, MO 63010. Memorial visitation will be offered from 5 pm until time of service. A private interment will be held later. In memory of Velma, contributions are encouraged to American Heart Association, 460 N Lindbergh Blvd., Saint Louis, MO 63141 or Open Door Animal Sanctuary, 6065 Duda Rd, House Springs, MO 63051

Arrangements under the direction of Heiligtag-Lang-Fendler Funeral Home, Arnold, MO.