Wanda Bates' Obituary
Wanda Bates passed peacefully away on Saturday, July 13, 2019 after 90 years of a life well lived. Wanda was born in Cisco, TX on January 13, 1929. She was the oldest daughter of 10 children born to Bill and Mardell Rathmell. The family lived in Cisco, El Paso, Springfield, MO, and finally, Mesquite, TX, where Wanda graduated from high school. She got a job with Sears Roebuck & Co., where she met the love of her life, Harold Bates and he fell in love with this classic beauty. They were married in Mesquite, TX in 1948, a marriage which lasted 67 years until Harold’s death. Wanda maintained the household and worked while Harold served in the Airforce during the Korean conflict and supported him as he obtained a degree in Business Administration from SMU. Wanda was able to indulge in her abundant talent for painting and raising their daughter, Becky. She and Harold were always active members of their church and had a deep and abiding faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. They lived out their faith in their family and in the community. They also contributed generously to the art community in Odessa, TX while he managed the Sears store there. After retirement they doted on their grandson, William Christopherson, and made many trips to England to see distant cousins in the family. She is survived by her daughter, Becky Christopherson and husband Allen of Alpine, TX; and grandson Staff Sergeant William Christopherson who is serving in the U.S. Air Force, presently stationed in Abilene, TX. She is also survived by sisters, Jenet Jolly, Marjuel Reynolds and husband Bob, and Katherine Creech and husband James, as well as by four brothers, Jake Rathmell and wife Marvis, Robert Rathmell and wife Bonnie, Dwight Rathmell and wife Lana, and Bernard Rathmell and wife Barbara, and numerous nieces and nephews. All of us proudly display many of her paintings in our homes. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Billie Joe Bates and Aunt Sylvia Frazier. She is preceded in death by Harold and brothers, Billy and Charles Rathmell. She received caring support from family members, NolasHands LLC, and care takers at Rock Ridge Assisted Living in Rockwall, TX during the last months of her illness.Visitation for Wanda Bates will be on Friday, July 19, 2019 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Restland Funeral Home. Funeral service will take place on Saturday, July 20, 2019 at 9:30 AM in the Abbey Chapel at Restland Funeral Home.Funeral arrangements have been faithfully entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Cemetery, which is located at 13005 Greenville Avenue, at the intersection of Restland Road and Greenville Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75243, and can be reached at (972)238-7111.
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