Betty Smith Bates

Betty Smith Bates, age 82, of Marion Circle in Lexington passed away on Sunday morning, February 11, 2018 at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.   A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday February 15, 2018 at First Reformed United Church of Christ with the Rev. Elizabeth Horton officiating. Family will receive friends from 12:30 to 1:30 pm in the Church Fellowship Hall.   Ms. Bates was born on January 9, 1936 in Yadkin County to Walter M. Smith and Carlie Matthews Smith.  She was retired from Duracell.  She was a member of First Reformed United Church of Christ where she was part of the women’s group.  She also volunteered at Hospice for many years.  She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Van Dee Smith, Matthew Smith and Billy Smith; and sisters, Cora Lee Palmer and Lorell Myers.   Surviving is her loving husband of the home, John “J.W.” Bates; son, Gary (Jennifer Musgrave) Bates of Springfield, VA; daughter, Susan Odom (Calvin) of Lexington; a sister, Barbara Bailey (Bill) of Denver, NC; 4 grandchildren; Devin Odom (Betsy); Jonathan Odom; Pamela Bates; Capt. Heather Bates; and 1 great-grandchild Clara Odom.   In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Reformed United Church of Christ, 104 E. Center Street, Lexington, NC 27292.