Vera Lee Bates
August 1, 1954 - July 20, 2017

Vera Lee Bates was born on August 1, 1954 to Prince and Almeta Mays in Lexa (Southland), Arkansas. She was the 7th of 11 siblings. Vera attended West Side and Rosewald Elementary School, and graduated from Barton High School in 1972. Vera earned an Associate’s degree in Medical Technology from Phillips County Community College, an Associate’s Degree in Computer Science from Southern Technical College and a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Arkansas Baptist College.

She moved to Little Rock, Arkansas where she met her husband of 35 years, Harron Bates, Jr. Vera gave birth to 3 children. She retired from Little Rock School District in 2016, where she worked 28 years as a Computer Technician.

Vera confessed her belief in the Lord Jesus Christ at an early age at Spring Lake Missionary Baptist Church in Southland, Arkansas. Her faith remained strong as she battled breast cancer over the last year. God decided that it was time for her to come home on July 20, 2017.

Vera was preceded in death by her parents Prince and Almeta Mays; one brother, Sedrick Mays and one sister Norma Jean (Calvin) Anderson.

Vera is survived by her loving husband, Harron Bates, Jr. Two daughters: Suwanna (Shadrick) Jefferson of Acworth, Georgia; and Lisa Bates of Marietta, Georgia. Three sons: Marcus Williams of Orlando, Florida; Corey (Katherine) Oliver of Fairburn, Georgia and Harron (Tre) Antrell Bates of Monroe, Louisiana; Fifteen Grandchildren and Four Great-grandchildren. Seven sisters: Delois (Robert-deceased) Carswell of Jacksonville, Florida; Esther (James) Bailey of Greenwood, Mississippi; Joyce (James-deceased) Morgan of Little Rock, Arkansas; Patricia Ross of Canton, Georgia; Caron (Willie-deceased) Beasley of Dallas, Georgia; Jacqueline (Tommy) Mullins of Little Rock, Arkansas; and Audrey (Andrew) Fowler of Acworth, Georgia. Four Brothers: John (Barbara-deceased) Mays of Little Rock, Arkansas; Dewayne (Jareldine) Mays of Lincoln, Nebraska; Fredrick Mays of Little Rock, Arkansas and Ricky Townsend of Little Rock, Arkansas. She also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, July 29, 2017 at 12noon at the Lakeside Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Rolling Hills Memory Garden. The family will receive friends at Lakeside Funeral Home on Friday, July 28, 2017 from 6pm to 8pm.

SOURCE: Lakeside Funeral Home