Annie Laurie Bates, age 97, went home to be with her Lord on Sunday, March 17, 2024; this date being St. Patrick’s Day is appropriate as her early nickname was “Irish”, a tribute to her mother’s Irish heritage. Services will be held at Ellis Funeral Home in Midland, TX on Monday, March 25th at 10:00 am.
Born in Fort Worth, TX in 1926, Annie married her high school sweetheart, John Paul Bates, before his deployment to Europe in WWII. During her high school years at Paschal High School, she won the city tennis doubles championship, although she was always quick to add that her partner played 95% of the game. Upon John’s return from WWII, the couple moved to Denver, CO where their two sons, John Jr. and James, were born. In 1958, they moved to Midland, TX, where she stayed for most of her adult life. She loved, encouraged, and supported her children and cherished the time she could spend with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ann loved gardening and often won the city rose championship with roses from her backyard. She also loved doing crossword puzzles and playing cards, especially bridge which she played at least monthly with her friends. In 2013, she moved to Houston to live with her son and his wife and then moved with them to Waco in 2016.
Ann is preceded in death by her husband, John Paul Bates, her son John Paul (Bucky) Bates, Jr., and her sister Evelyn Dollar.
She is survived by her son, James Bates and wife Ramona of Waco; daughter-in-law Anne Elizabeth Bates; four grandchildren, Matthew Bates and his wife Paula, Kaitlyn Bates, William Bates and Jay Bates, his wife Tanji and their children Kyrian, Margo and Sloane.
The family wishes to express our deep, heartfelt thanks for all those that provided loving care to our mother, grandmother, great grandmother, especially her full-time caregivers Anica, Sofia and Mariana.
In lieu of flowers, Ann’s family requests any memorials be made to your local church or the Methodist Children’s Home, 1111 Herring Avenue, Waco, TX 76708.
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