ERMA I. BATES

Erma Irene (Carter) Bates, 88, passed away June 11, 2015 at Foxwood Springs Living Center, Raymore, Missouri.


Memorial services are 1:30 pm Sunday, June 14, 2015 at Bromwell Lounge in Foxwood Springs Living Center. Graveside services are 10:00 am Monday, June 15, 2015 in the Prairie Ridge Christian Union Church Cemetery.


In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Brookdale Hospice 1500 W Foxwood Dr, Raymore, MO 64083 or Meadowbrook United Methodist Church 2800 NE 64th St, Gladstone, MO 64119.


Erma Irene was born January 30, 1927 at the family home in Dockery, Missouri. She was the eleventh child of eleven children born to Joseph Howard Carter and Volena Belle (Rippy) Carter. Erma grew up northeast of Kansas City, Missouri living in several small Ray County communities calling Polo her hometown and Prairie Ridge Church her community. She graduated from Polo High School in 1945. Following graduation, she moved to Kansas City. She signed on with Kansas City Life Insurance early in her career and worked her way up becoming a respected underwriter for the company, retiring in the early 1980's.


Erma's life in the city began when she and her sister, Fern, moved in with friends and found jobs. She enjoyed the city and was involved in many activities. She was a member of the Linwood Methodist Church where she and Fern became members of the Criterion Group keeping close ties with many after leaving Linwood Methodist. Erma also liked to square dance. That is where she met Jack Bates whom she later married on March 24, 1973. She and Jack were active members of Meadowbrook United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir and helped with many church functions. They also enjoyed traveling. They pulled their camper throughout the United States and Canada wintering for many years in south Texas. After Jack passed away in 2007, Erma soon moved to Foxwood Springs. She again became involved in her community becoming good friends with many of the residents and staff. She loved her family and was the catalyst of many family gatherings--especially if out of town family members were visiting.


Those preceding her in death were: her husband; her parents; brothers, James, Melvin, Maurice and Wallace Carter; sisters, Helen Karr, Vera Dooley, Virginia Schmidt, Willa Belle Coffman and Fern Charlesworth.


Survivors include her brother Doris Carter (Imogene) of Polo; many nieces and nephews, their families, which include many great and great-great nieces and nephews. Erma especially loved the little ones.

Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, MO (816)322-5278