Mary Lee (Samuelson) Bates

Mary Lee Bates, 90, went to be with the Lord on June 13, 2016.  She had been a resident of Sterling since 2008, formerly of Topeka, KS and Largo, FL.  She was born September 9, 1925, at Los Angeles, CA to Levi and Lillian Nelson Samuelson.  She had one sister, Corrine Samuelson who still resides in Sterling. Mary Lee moved to Topeka from California with her mother at age 14 and finished her education at Topeka High School.

            On May 12, 1945 she married Walter Rhymes Bates. Together they ran Bates Furniture in Topeka for more than 30 years. Walter died in 1993 at Largo, FL. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Deborah Kay in 1990. Survivors include daughter Carol Ann Bates Ludwick, Sterling and a son Charles Bates, Clearwater, FL. She also has 4 grandchildren, Aaron & Andy Ludwick, Jeff Temmen and Angela Bates along with seven great-grandchildren.

Mary was very active in her church life as a Sunday school teacher and a leader in the AWANA program. She enjoyed her church family and volunteered her time at Christian radio stations and other organizations. She was always ready to share her love for the Lord. She was a member of First Baptist Church, Lyons and Sterling Reformed Presbyterian Church.  

Visitation will be from 2:00 to 7:00 P.M. on June 22, 2016 at Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling, with family present from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M.  A graveside service will be held at West Lawn Memorial Gardens at Topeka, KS on June 23, 2016 at 12:00 P.M. Officiating will be Rev. Robert McFarland of the Topeka Reformed Presbyterian Church, family and friends are welcome to attend.  Memorials can be made to the Sterling Presbyterian Manor or Mendenhall Ministries in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling.

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