Rafaela Duarte Bates' Obituary
Services for Rafaela Duarte Bates, 104 of Henderson will be held at 2:00 PM Monday October 31, 2016 in the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home with Bro. Pat Shannon Bro. Eldon Warren officiating. A private burial will be held at Prairie View Cemetery in Aransas Pass, Texas at a later date.
Rafaela was born February 21, 1912 in Monterrey, Mexico to Jose and Sofia Sotello Duarte. She married Joseph Edmon Bates on March 14, 1932 in Laredo TX. Rafaela was a nurse, a caterer and served in Christian ministry.
Mrs. Bates was preceded in death by her parents; Jose and Sofia Sotello Duarte, step-father; Severo Torres, her husband; Joseph Edmon Bates, brother; Julian Torres, son; Joseph Edmon Bates, Jr., daughter; Mary Hellen Haskin, granddaughter; Norma Diann Taylor, and grandson; Robert Hill.
Survivors include her daughters Ruby Taylor of Henderson and Ruth Parr of Azusa, CA, son John Bates of Oklahoma City, OK, granddaughter Lynn Nacol of Henderson, Stacey Schmitt and husband Mark of Bakers Field, CA, Lorie Walden and husband Charles of Rapid City, SD, Joni Nelson and husband Greg of Oklahoma City, OK, and Judi Newberry of Oklahoma City, OK. Grandsons William A. Hill and wife Lisa of New Iberia, LA, John V. Parr and wife Christina of Azusa, CA, John Taylor of Longmont, CO and Mike Taylor and wife Laura of St. Paul, MN. Thirteen great grandchildren and 10 great- great grandchildren.
A special "Thank You" to the Hospice of East Texas for the loving care they provided to Granny Bates during her stay. Ruby and Lynn would like to thank the following nurses who cared for Granny Bates; Gail, Nancy, Joyce, Becky, Victoria, Gary, Laquita, Dee Myrna, Bridgette, Chaplin Tim and Social Worker Anna.
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