Nancy H. Bates

Nancy Helen Bates, 89, of Chatham, formerly of Springfield, died Monday, February 2, 2026 at her residence. She was born in St. Louis, Missouri on July 5, 1936, the daughter of Rufus and Helen (Loveless) Vaughan. She married Leland Herman Bates on August 20, 1960.

Nancy graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1958 with a B.A. in Spanish. She was a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority.

She taught Spanish and French for several years before her marriage, and then was a homemaker. She and her family were residents of Springfield for many years. She was a member of Southern View Chapel. She enjoyed knitting, scrapbooking, doing puzzles and watching Cardinals baseball games. She loved cats and had many feline companions over the years.

She is survived by three daughters, Susan (husband Glenn) Anders of Riverton, Amy Bates of Chatham and Julie Bates of Springfield. She was preceded in death by her husband Leland, sister Betty Lupher, and her parents.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00am on Friday February 6, 2026 at Southern View Chapel, 4500 South Second Street in Springfield with burial to follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. The family will greet friends from 8:45am until 9:45am Friday at church. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to: Southern View Chapel or to Washington Street Mission.