To request a copy of this photo for your own personal use, please contact our state coordinator. If you are not a family member or the original photographer — please refrain from copying or distributing this photo to other websites.
Thank you for visiting the Arkansas Gravestone Photo Project. On this site you can upload gravestone photos, locate ancestors and perform genealogy research. If you have a relative buried in Arkansas, we encourage you to upload a digital image using our Submit a Photo page. Contributing to this genealogy archive helps family historians and genealogy researchers locate their relatives and complete their family tree.
Submitted: 6/17/22 • Approved: 7/3/22 • Last Updated: 7/6/22 • R1437020-G0-S3
December 18, 1913 - March 2, 2008
*Obituary
TIMES RECORD Obituary
March 5, 2008, Fort Smith, Arkansas
Sarah Isabelle Bates, who taught piano and organ for decades, died at the age of 94, on Sunday, March 2, 2008, at her home in Van Buren with her family at her side. She was one of Van Buren's first living legends and widow of Dewitt Bates.
Born in Fort Smith on December 18, 1913, to Evelyn Cook Dotson and John Emler Dotson, she moved with her family to Van Buren when she was a child. For some time they lived in what is now the King Opera House, which at the time was one of three picture shows her parents owned in Van Buren and Fort Smith.
She graduated from Draughon's Business College in Fort Smith before returning to Van Buren High School for her high school diploma. She later completed correspondence courses from the University of Arkansas and in mid-life she graduated from Westark Junior College (later to become UAFS), where she received her highest honors in the music department. As a young woman, she was secretary to the Crawford County farm agent and and a secretary at the smelter.
In 1936 she married Frank Dewitt Bates. Their first child, John Benjamin Bates was stillborn. Her surviving children are David Alan Bates of New Freedom, Pennsylvania, Bethlyn Bates of New York City and Van Buren, and Paul Bates of San Diego.
A member of the First Baptist Church of Van Buren, she was a dedicated Christian worker and served in many capacities as a church musician, leader and teacher. She was still teaching Sunday school and piano when she became ill at the age of 90.
Sarah Bates was known for her deep and constant faith in God, and for her intellect, wisdom, sweetness, kindness and humor. A writer, public speaker and world traveler, she also was known for delightful stories of her life and travel adventures. She had been a member of the Literary Club of Van Buren and the Fort Smith Musical Coterie.
She is also survived by daughters-in-law, Jenny Bates and Junko Bates; son-in-law, Atha Lamar; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Over the years, many others, including Thoai Lien of New York City, regarded her as a mother or grandmother.
Visitaiton will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Ocker Funeral Home in Van Buren. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, in the old sanctuary of the First Baptist Church in Van Buren.
Photo courtesy of N Roberts
Contributed on 6/17/22 by Billsully060
Email This Contributor
Suggest a Correction
Record #: 1437020