Mary Ellen Bates

Mrs. Mary Ellen Rudisill Bates, age 85, passed away on December 22, 2014 at Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital. She was born in Nacogdoches County, Texas on June 16, 1929 to parents Charles Frank and Jessie Bell Rudisill.

A funeral service will be conducted on Saturday, December 27 at 10:00 am at Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors with Rev. Rick Anderson officiating and Rev. Brad Morgan assisting. Interment will follow at Shady Grove Cemetery. Pallbearers will include Val Mathis, Gary Gatliff, Alex Barrera, Edgar Stanaland, Jimmy Easom and Bobby Easom.

Mary Ellen is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Floyd Alton Bates who died on Jan 5, 2003;they were married 56 years on Christmas Eve before his death; sisters, Liz Corman, Ruby Nichols and Dorothy Parrish.

She is survived by her daughters, Mary Darlene Bates, Rebecca “Becky” Crain and husband John; grandchildren, Angie Ammons and companion John Anderson, James “Bubba” Steitler, Jessie Montgomery and husband Mark.; great grandchildren, Garrett Ammons, Rowdy Ammons, Logan Ammons, Lyric Steitler, Sidney Steitler; sisters, Clara Rodgers, Jo Cox; brothers, Freddie Rudisill and wife Gladys, Clifford Rudisill and wife Jenny, Ernest Rudisill and wife Marty; and brother-in-law Les Corman and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary Ellen was affectionately known as “Mama Ellen” and “Granny”, but one thing for sure, when people met her they never forgot her! She wore many hats throughout her life but next to wife, mother and grandmother she was a professional seamstress. She began her career at Mize Sewing Factory and then began private alterations and started an upholstery shop. She was always sewing something special for her kids from regular dresswear to wedding gowns and quilts! She was called upon as a young child to be a caregiver and she filled that roll .Mary Ellen enjoyed cooking and canning old style for her family and friends and enjoyed those big huge family eatings where extended family gathered together during the year. She will be remembered most for her homemade biscuits, chicken and dressing and hot water cornbread which no one can copy. She was the “Oldtime” cook who just knew how much ingredients to make her “specialty” she was creating. When she had free time you could find her caring for her garden. She was a devoted Christian, extremely patient in dealing with family and friends, and a pleasant person to be around. Her family will dearly miss her

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In memory of her memorial contributions may be offered to Bonita United Methodist Church, 10303 HWY 259/ Nacogdoches, Texas 75965 or Shady Grove Cemetery, %Mary Wilson, 288 Wilson Loop, Nacogdoches, Texas 75961.