Mary Mildred Bates, 80, of Rushville, died Oct. 20, 2009.
Born June 21, 1929 in Whitley City, Ky., she was the daughter of John and Bunna (Williams) Burk, both deceased. She married the Rev. Kenneth Bates June 22, 1945; he preceded her in death Oct. 19, 2005.
Mrs. Bates worked at the Schnadig Corporation in the 1960s and was a pastor's wife for over 50 years. She was a member of First Southern Baptist Church in Rushville where she was active with the Women's Auxiliary and was the Children's Choir director.
Survivors include son, Gary (Carol) Bates of Franklin, Ohio; daughter, Connie Stocklin of Rushville; grandchildren, Heidi Fox Surls, Heather Sallee, Joshua Buchanan, Matt Bates and Kristy Rudd; and five great-grandchildren.
Besides her parents and husband she was preceded in death by two brothers and a sister.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Moster Mortuary in Rushville with the Rev. Hobart Brandenburg officiating. Burial will follow in Rushville's East Hill Cemetery. Friends may call after 11 a.m. Saturday at the mortuary.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
