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Vera Claudine Bates was born on July 11, 1934, in Fairland, Oklahoma, to Guy and Melvina (Moody) Coons. She departed this life on Saturday, November 3, 2012, at the age of 78 years, 3 months, and 23 days.

Claudine graduated with the Pryor High School class of 1951. On March 27, 1951, in Bentonville, Arkansas, Claudine and Arthur H. Bates were united in marriage. The couple had been married for over 61 years.

Claudine retired as a Deputy Tulsa County Treasurer. She enjoyed paintings and loved to garden in her flower beds. She will be remembered as a loving wife and mother, and will be greatly missed by all that knew her.

She is survived by: her husband: Arthur Bates, of the home; 2 daughters: Debra Nutter and husband Richard of Locust Grove, Oklahoma and Pamela McClain of Tulsa, Oklahoma; 1 son: Larry A. Bates of Locust Grove, Oklahoma; 1 brother: Dean Coons and wife Iris Jean of Joplin, Missouri; 5 grandchildren: Melissa McClain of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, Dana Dawson and husband Matt of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, John McClain and wife Brittney of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, Jason Savage of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Dakota Nutter of Locust Grove, Oklahoma; 9 great grandchildren; other relatives and a host of friends. Claudine was preceded in death by: her parents; 1 great grandson: Corbin McClain; and 2 brothers: Harold Coons and Carl Moody.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 P.M., Wednesday, November 7, 2012, at the Locust Grove Funeral Home Chapel. Reverend Rick Condit will officiate. Interment will follow at the Spavinaw-Strang Cemetery in Spavinaw, Oklahoma. Services were entrusted to the Locust Grove Funeral Home.

VIEWING & VISITATION: 9 am until 9 PM, Monday, November 5, 2012

9 am until 9 PM, Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Family to recieve friends, 6 PM until 8 PM, Tuesday night, November 6, 2012
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