Sarah Bates Obituary

Sarah Bates COLUMBIA, SC - A memorial service for Sarah Elise Potts Bates will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, September 21, 2010, at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, following a private interment. Visitation will be in Thompson Hall after the service. Sarah died Friday, September 17, 2010. Born July 2, 1940, in Whiteville, N.C., she was the wife of the late Roy Dawson Bates and the daughter of the late Robert Crockett Potts and Lillian Blanche Dyson Potts. Sarah graduated from Loris High School in 1957 and from Columbia College in 1961 with a degree in Home Economics. She married Roy on October 7, 1961, and they were married for almost 48 years. Sarah was the consummate mother, grandmother, wife and friend, and her hospitality was legendary. She was a faithful volunteer at Baptist Hospital for over 40 years and was awarded a lifetime membership to the Palmetto Health Auxiliary of Volunteers in 2007. She was also honored by Governor Jim Hodges for her dedication, commitment and leadership for the benefit of South Carolina and her citizens with the Order of the Silver Crescent in 2000. She loved the beach and learned to shag at The Pad on Ocean Drive, and treasured her times at the beach with her family and many friends. Sarah was an active member of Eastminster Presbyterian Church and a member of the Frank Harden Sunday School Class. She also served at North Trenholm Baptist providing hospitality services for the "Keenagers" seniors program for over 20 years. Sarah is survived by her children, Brian Tucker Bates and his wife Virginia ("Ginger") of Columbia; Nancy Bates O'Connor and her husband, Cian, of Brighton, England; Suzanne Hellams Bates Mueller, widow of predeceased son, Stephen Potts Bates; and six grandchildren, Reese and Tucker Bates, Rachael and Griffin Bates and Fionn and Stephen O'Connor. The family would like to thank all of Sarah's caregivers for their compassion and care for Sarah during the last few months. Memorials may be made to the Stephen Potts Bates Public Service Scholarship, Presbyterian College, 503 South Broad Street, Clinton, SC 29325 or to the Auxiliary of Volunteers at Palmetto Health Baptist, Taylor at Marion Streets, Columbia, SC 29220. Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com. Visit our guestbook at www.postandcourier.com/ deaths

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Published by Charleston Post & Courier from Sep. 17 to Sep. 18, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Sarah Bates

9 Entries

Denise Brown

September 22, 2010

Bates Family,
I feel so blessed to have served Ms.Sarah. Because of her, my life has been enriched beyond measure. She truly was a living testimony and will be greatly missed. I thank God for gracing me to meet her and pray God will mount you up on wings of eagles and exchange the spirit of heaviness for a garment of praise, be blessed, you are loved.

September 20, 2010

There are no words to describe how much I loved Sarah and much how I am going to miss her. We have shared so many wonderful stories and laughs together. Our times together and memories of Sarah will be treasured forever. I am honored and blessed to have been her friend for the last 30 years. Al and I will keep you all in our prayers.
Donna Crocker

Joe & Kim bridges

September 20, 2010

Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. We loved visiting with Roy and Sarah a few years ago when they extended an invitation to us at the beach house. Our family had a wonderful time and our kids still talk about the beach. Roy even got our teenager to laugh : ) Sarah's home cooked meal and hospitality was beautiful as always. They both are missed dearly.

Joe, Kim, Erika, Eli & Ava Bridges

Ranny Story

September 19, 2010

I grew up with Sarah in Loris, S.C., and would like to express my deepest sympathy to Sarah's family. I am so very grateful that I had the prvilege of visiting with her at the beach a year ago last July. She certainly was a real "lady" and reminded me so much of her mother. During this most difficult time, may you all feel God's loving arms around you as you hold all those wonderful and cherished memories so close to your hearts. God's blessings to you all. Warmly, Ranny Lewis Story

Joan Gay

September 19, 2010

To the Bates Family. I was saddened to hear of your loss of Sarah. I worked with her at Baptist Medical Center as a volunteer. She was so nice and so talented. She will be greatly missed by us all.

shep Griffith

September 18, 2010

Brian and family,
Cathy & I are so very sorry for your loss...You guys have been through a great deal in recent years. I have such great memories of Mrs Bates and your entire family.
Shep griffith
Orlando

September 18, 2010

TO THE BATES FAMILY, WE ARE SO VERY SAD TO HEAR OF SARAH'S PASSING. SHE WAS A DEAR FRIEND TO BOTH OF US FOR YEARS. THERE ARE FOND MEMORIES OF HER AND ROY.
YOU ARE IN OUR HEARTS AND PRAYERS, LOVE
BOB AND RUTH WINDE, COLUMBIA, S.C.

V. Latham

September 18, 2010

May "...the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort..." be with you during this time of your loss.

David Higginbotham

September 17, 2010

ginger and brian im so sorry hear news abour your mother brian
David Higginbotham

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