Rita Yuvonne Bates, 78, passed away on October 31, 2015. She was born on February 25, 1937 to the late Bentley Truman O’Dell and Mary Hurst O’Dell in Hiwassee, Virginia. Her husband Charles Allen Bates, son Kenneth Steven Coleman and her five siblings preceded her in death.
She spoke fondly of her cherished childhood mountain home and her time in Taiwan, where she proudly served as the wife of a naval commissioned officer. She also loved writing poetry.
Rita is survived by her daughters Angelia Susan Bunch, and Cathey Lynn Henderson; son Lawrence Bentley Bates; brother Leonard Myrle O’Dell; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 4, 2015 from 6-8PM at Rosewood Kellum Funeral Home, 601 N. Witchduck Rd., Virginia Beach, VA.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, November 5, 2015 at 1PM at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Rosewood Memorial Park. You may offer your condolences at www.kellumfuneral home.com.
