Obituary of Dorothy M. Bates

Dorothy M. Bates, age 90, of Rome, passed away peacefully on February 21, 2017 at Betsy Ross Nursing and Rehab Center. Dorothy was born in Brooklyn on July 13, 1926 to the late Thomas and Marie Carney Whittaker. She graduated from Rome Free Academy in 1943 and attended CCBI in Syracuse. On December 13, 1946, she was united in marriage to Merle Bates at the Calvary Methodist Church. Dorothy worked as a secretary at General Cable in Rome. Dorothy was very active in her younger days with bowling and Bridge playing with her many good friends. She also enjoyed summers at camp at White Lake and winters at their recreation park in Central Florida. Dorothy is survived by her loving husband of 70 years, Merle; a daughter and son in law, Susan and Paul Smith of Bremen, GA; two sons and daughters in law, Wayne and Diana Bates of Maitland, FL and Thomas and Patricia Bates of Rome; grandchildren, Douglas, Jennifer, Luke, Kaitlin, and Kimberly Bates, Daniel and Erica Smith; and seven great grandchildren. A graveside service will be held in the spring at Lee State Road Cemetery. There are no calling hours.