Harper County Obituaries

Leona Mae Bates

9 Apr 1925 - 6 Aug 2014

© BILLINGS FUNERAL HOME
WOODWARD, WOODWARD CO, OK
(permission granted)
Submitted by: Ann Weber

Funeral Mass: 10:30 AM Friday, August 8th, 2014
St. Joseph's Catholic Church of Buffalo
Interment: Friday, August 8th, 2014
St Joseph Catholic Cemetery

Leona Mae Bates, 89 year old Woodward resident and former Buffalo resident, died Wednesday, August 6, 2014 at the Grace Living Center in Buffalo surrounded by her loving family. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 8, 2014 at the St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Buffalo with the Reverend Joe Arledge officiating. Interment will be at the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

Leona Mae (Jennings) Bates was born on April 9, 1925 in Rosston, Oklahoma to Jesse Frank and Minnie Bell (Kellogg) Jennings. She was one of seven children born to them. Leona was raised in the Rosston area and graduated from Rosston High School in 1943. She was united in marriage to Wayne G. Bates on January 17, 1949. Leona worked along side her husband on their family farm northwest of Buffalo.

Leona was a member of the St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Buffalo and a working member of the Altar Society for many years. She enjoyed cooking for her family-pies being her specialty; especially her coconut pies. Leona won many awards for her fruit pies and sandhill plum jelly at the Harper County Fair in Buffalo. Also, at Christmas she would make pounds and pounds of candy for gifts and share with family and friends. When she became too ill to prepare the candy herself, Debbie and Waynetta, under Leona's guidance, cooked for her.

After her husband Wayne's death, Leona made her home in Woodward. She knew family had arrived to visit at her home when she heard the secret "doorbell ring" many times bringing her favorite: extra crispy onion rings and a diet coke. She enjoyed reading, embroidering, watching her favorite TV programs, and being with her family.

She is survived by daughter, Waynetta Bates Jordan and husband Lynn of Follett, Texas; grandson, Justin Jordan of Buffalo, granddaughter, Lynsia Jordan Sprouse and husband Derek of Slapout; great-grandson, Hagan and great-granddaughter Payton; daughter, Debra Bates Robison and husband James of Buffalo; granddaughter Crystal Robison Lamle and husband Blake of Shattuck; great-grandson, Laken; Jaime Robison Nelson and husband Caleb of Buffalo; great-grandson Colter. Leona was excited to hear of the approaching birth of her namesake, great-granddaughter, Channing Mae Nelson. Also surviving is grandson, Ken Bates and wife Laurie of Woodward; great-grandson Kris Bates and wife Trisha of Woodward; great-great-grandson Kane; Ashley Bates Glitsch and husband Ryan of Woodward and great-great grandson Braxton and great-great granddaughter, Kinzley and great-grandson Kaden Bates of Woodward; granddaughter, Terri Sue Bates Leeper and husband Jay of Alva and great-granddaughters Kate and Kayla. Special recognition goes to her niece Sue Jennings Cornwell and husband Max of Yukon and her friend and caregiver Susie Sasnett of Edmond; her caregivers at the Grace Living Center in Buffalo whom she called her Angels; other relatives and friends. /p>

She was preceded in death by her husband Wayne of 43 years on May 5, 1992, her parents and siblings, her son, Bill Bates on January 26, 2013, twin great-granddaughters Allie Ann and Brynn Faye Lamle and son Bill Bates.

MMemorials may be made to the Faith Hospice or the St. Joseph Catholic Women Club with the Billings Funeral Home, 1621 Downs Avenue, Woodward, OK. 73801 accepting the contributions on behalf of the family.