Judy Ann Bates, 69, of Gastonia, went home to be with the Lord, Saturday morning, August 7, 2021, at Gaston Memorial Hospital.Born in Bat Cave, she was the daughter of the late Reverend Robert A. Bates and Betty Wilson Bates. Judy was a graduate of Polk Central High School and went on to CPCC in Charlotte earning an Associate Degree in Nursing. She began working at Charlotte Memorial Hospital and later with several group homes in Gastonia as an LPN. Although Judy had no children, she was like a mama to all her nieces and nephews. Judy enjoyed cooking, crocheting, canning and gospel music. She was a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Gastonia.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a nephew, Robbie; two great nieces, Rosalie, and Mira.Surviving are one brother, Tommy Bates of Sunny View; two sisters, Jeanette Wilson (Ben) of Bessemer City and Joyce Fortenberry of Sunny View; four nieces, Amy (Eric), Kenya (Robbie), Alice (Josh) and Jessi; three nephews, Sammy (Tammy), Jacob (Briana) and Justin (Danielle); nineteen great-nieces and nephews, Max, Natalie, Autumn, Savannah, Courtney, Kylee, Paislee, Callie, Grayson, Callie, Emma, Makinzy, Finley, Amos, Kaiden, Kameron, Karissa, Jamie and Robert; four great-great nephews, Noah, Malachi, Ciel and Yamir.The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday evening, August 13, 2021, in the McFarland Funeral Chapel.A funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 14, 2021, at Sunnyside Baptist Church in Bessemer City with Mr. Ben Wilson officiating.Judy will lie in state Saturday from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. prior to the service.Burial with a brief graveside service will follow at 4:00 p.m. Saturday at Big Level Baptist Church Cemetery in Sunny View with Reverend Charlie Jackson officiating.To help offset the funeral expenses, the family request that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to McFarland Funeral Chapel, 54 McFarland Drive, Tryon, North Carolina 28782.
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