Age: 82
BATES, E. Jean
Kalamazoo
Jean passed away Saturday morning, November10, 2012 at Bronson Nursing and Rehab Center, Lawton. She was born December 20, 1929 in Star City, Arkansas the daughter of the late Columbus J. and Velma (Westbrook) Ramsey. Jean was a self-taught musician playing the organ and piano. Her hobbies were embroidering, and flower gardening. Jean loved and greatly enjoyed get togethers with her many family members and friends. She provided child care for a few "extra" children as a job. On June 2, 1954 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Jean was united in marriage to Lawrence M. Bates who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by daughter, Arlena Ruth Remy; Infant son, Larry Gene Richardson; 3 brothers: Sam, Jake and Robert Ramsey; 2 sisters: Susie Parrish and Jo Ann Simpson. Surviving are 3 sons, Lonnie Richardson of Alexander, Arkansas, David Bates of Portage, Michigan, and Michael Bates (Tish) of Paw Paw, Michigan; daughter: Audrey (Ron) Wesaw of Decatur, Michigan; 5 grandsons, Justin Thorne (Christina) of Parchment, Michigan, David L. Bates (Sharyn) of Mattawan, Michigan, Steven Thorne (Rebecca)of Napoleon, Ohio, Joshua Bates of Kalamazoo, Michigan and Collin Bates of Paw Paw, Michigan; granddaughter, Lauren Bates of Paw Paw, Michigan; sister: Mary Lou Kirchoff of Dewitt Arkansas; great grandchildren: Gage, Ahlana, Noah, Braelyn, Bailey, Jessie, and Keegan; many nieces and nephews; sisters-in law, Dorothy (Sam) Ramsey, Mary (Jake) Ramsey, Mary (Robert) Ramsey, Linda (Bill) Gleason, and Sue Micheals. Family will receive friends Wednesday evening 6 to 8 p.m. at the Adams Funeral Home, Paw Paw where funeral services will be held Thursday, 2 p.m. with Pastor Jim Dyke officiating. Interment will be in Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, Michigan. Memorial contributions may be made to Decatur Human Services or Hospice of Southwest Michigan.