Willa Dean Bates

Willa Dean Bates (Deanie), 84, of Derby, Kansas, passed away April 11, 2017, in Derby, Kansas. Visitation will be held at Smith Mortuary on April 17, 2017, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held at South Rock Christian Church on April 18, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Jody Clegg of St. Louis, MO officiating. Burial will be at New Hope Cemetery in Lebanon, MO. Smith Mortuary is handling the funeral arrangements. Deanie was born in Long Lane, Missouri to Goldie (Richardson) and Milton Davison on September 15, 1932. She went to high school at Buffalo High School and graduated in 1951. She married Wayne Bates on February 3, 1952. Deanie and Wayne owned and operated two shoe stores in Waynesville for twenty-seven years and Bates Self Service Storage for many years before retiring in 1992 and moving to Walker, MO. Deanie spent her life serving her church and community. She served God through teaching Sunday School for over fifty years, was Superintendent of Bible School, led the Girl’s Auxiliary and was a leader in the Woman’s Missionary Union. As a community leader, she held offices in the Waynesville Chamber of Commerce, served as a member of the Fort Leonard Club of Fifty, served on the Regional Council on Aging, and was elected Waynesville Business and Professional Woman of the Year. She was also an active member of Toastmasters. Deanie is preceded in death by her late husband of 61 years, her parents, and one brother (Donald). Deanie is survived by her five sisters Elsie, Ina, Quintella, Marjorie, Darlene, and two brothers, Marvin and Norman. Two daughters Beverly and Connie, three grandchildren, Joshua McMullin (Erica); Sarah Dowell (Joshua); Zachary (Amanda); and ten great-grandchildren Alexis, Eli, Katie, Ashley, Macy, Lily, Colton, Chloe, Dominic and Emily, and many nieces and nephews. Many called her friend. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Rapha House Kids Club, 712 South Main Street, Joplin, Missouri 64801. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the Heartland Hospice for their support in her final days.

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

2:00 PM

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