Ada Verona Bates

Funeral service for Ada Verona Bates will be 10:30 a.m., Thurs., April 11, at First Christian Church, Chelsea, with Bro. Eddie Wrinkle officiating. Visitation will be held at the Chelsea Funeral Home & Crematory Wed. 1-5 p.m.

Ada passed away Thurs., April 4, 2013, at Claremore Nursing Home at the age of 93.

The daughter of George Horace and Maggie Jane (Parris) Ragsdale was born Nov. 6, 1919, in Chelsea. Ada was raised in Chelsea and Alluwe, and attended Alluwe schools. She met the love of her life, Harley L. Bates, at a dance. They were married on April 1, 1940, in San Rafael, CA. They made their home in Oakdale before moving to Oklahoma in 1948. They moved back to California in 1961. While in California Ada worked at Hunt-Wesson as a machine operator. 25 years ago they moved back to Oklahoma. Numerous friends and family members will miss their call from Ada every morning making sure they were okay. Ada enjoyed sewing, cooking, and attending the jam session every Friday night. Ada was a member of Alluwe Church of God. She served as Sunday school superintendent, secretary, and treasurer. Ada most recently attended Vinita Church of God.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Harley; daughter-in-law, Debra Bates; grandson, Scott Allen Bates; 6 brothers, and 4 sisters.

Ada is survived by her children: Gary Bates and wife, Cindy of Chelsea, Bradley Bates and wife, Carol of Oakdale, CA, Jim Bates and wife, Judy of Chelsea, Terry Bates of Modesto, CA, Rick Bates of Modesto, CA, Marty Bates and wife, Cindy of Chelsea, and Judy Bates of Chelsea; sister, Sue Claasen of Brownsville, OR; 17 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.