Ellinor Bates Obituary

BATES, Ellinor LEXINGTON - Graveside services for Ellinor Gaillard Crawford Bates, 100, formerly of Wateree and Clemson, will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. in Old Richland Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Old Bluff Road near Eastover. A memorial Service will be held Friday at 3:00 and the family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. at the Presbyterian Home Of S.C. (US-378 at I-20). Officiating will be Dr. William H. Boyd and Dr. Fran Bargan. Mrs. Bates, wife of the late Joseph McCord Bates, died peacefully in her sleep on July 3, 2006. Born in Clarendon County, she was the daughter of the late Benjamin Sloan and Wilhelmina Boyd Gaillard Crawford. She was a graduate of Sumter Girls High School and later was the first civilian hired at the opening of Shaw Air Force Base. Her family were longtime members of the Richland Presbyterian Church and were fully involved in the Lower Richland Community until their move to Clemson in 1980. In 1954, Ellinor and Joe were recognized as S.C. Master Farm Family of the Year. Mrs. Bates will be remembered for her love of sporting events. She followed her husband's riding in the Camden Hunt, the Camden and Columbia Polo Clubs and lancing tournaments where she was often crowned Queen of the event. As a rabid Tiger fan, she attended every game of Clemson's National Championship football season and continued to attend athletic events into her mid-90's. She was the oldest member of IPTAY by continuing her husband's Charter Membership for 72 years. Gifted with a green thumb, Ellinor was a member and past president of the Eastover Garden Club, where her talents were always recognized. She was an active member of the DAR, Daughters of the Confederacy and a lifetime member of the Huguenot Society of S.C. Surviving are sons and daughters-in-law, Neil Gaillard and Malinda Marshall Bates of Panama City, FL and Joseph McCord "Joe Mac" and Annie Coleman Bates of Irmo; Grandchildren: Malinda Catherine "Cay" Bates Heath, Warren, PA, Teresa Crawford Bates Beverly, Orangeburg, Joseph McCord "Jo Jo" Bates III, Irmo, Jefferson Blakely Bates II, Columbia and Coleman Liston Bates, Irmo; 13 great-grandchildren. Suggested memorials may be gifted to Richland Presbyterian Cemetery Fund, the Richland Presbyterian Church, and Presbyterian Home of S. C. Family and friends are welcome at 923 Koon Rd., Irmo. DUNBAR FUNERAL HOME DEVINE CHAPEL is assisting the family. www.dunbarfunerals.com Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.