Eileen Ruth Bates

Eileen Ruth Bates, 94, of Cambridge, died Friday (October 21, 2011) at the Autumn Health Care Center, Cambridge. She was born August 2, 1917 in Sarahsville, daughter of the late Sam Cooper and Mattie (Wickham) Cooper. Mrs. Bates was a homemaker. She attended Caldwell High School. She was a member of the Free Methodist Church. She was an avid television watcher, especially old-time comedies and The Lawrence Welk Show. She cherished spending time with her family. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Willard M. Bates, who died October 24, 2002. They were married June 9, 1934. Also deceased are a brother, Kenneth; two sisters, Freda Cooper and Emma Gardner; a daughter-in-law, Sue Bates; and a grandchild, Jeffrey Bates. She is survived by two sons, Vance (& Pat) Bates of Cambridge and Sam Bates of New Concord; five grandchildren, Jerry Bates, Jan Bates, Randy Bates, Rick Bates, and Judie Wendorf; twelve great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Dr. Don Bates of Wisconsin; a sister-in-law, Laura Sanford of Arizona; a niece, Mary Lou Vaughn of Caldwell; and several great-nieces and great-nephews. Family and friends may call on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Thorn-Black Funeral Home, Cambridge, with funeral services held on Monday (October 24, 2011) at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Rodney Reeves officiating. Burial will be at Guernsey Memory Gardens, Cambridge.