Our beloved mother, sister, and friend, Georgia Dee Bates, born July 7,1941, at the age of 77, passed away from complications of pneumonia and lung cancer on January 24, 2019.
Georgia was the youngest of six children to Lee Norman and Helen Anderson, who preceded her in death, as did her brother, Roy Lee Norman.
She is survived by her daughter, Melissa Peterman, 55; her son, Bob Bates, 43, (Lisa Bates); grandchildren, Haley, Robbie, and Jason Bates, Shelby Peterman, and Kelsey Corcoran. Also surviving are her sisters, Helen Ruth Hoffman, 84, Edith Hearrold, 79, Jean Frerking, 78, and brother, O’Jay Norman, 83. Georgia also had four half sisters, Anna French, 71, Rita Harrison, 68, Lena Rehkop, 67, and Linda Brock, who passed away in 2006; and many, many nieces and nephews.
Georgia was born and raised in Bevier, Mo., where she, her two brothers, and three sisters helped her father with his business of making concrete blocks. They would shovel sand, cement, and gravel from train cars all while attending high school there in Bevier. After graduating high school she moved in with sister, Jean, where she worked at a women’s clothing boutique in Colombia, Mo. Georgia was born with a passion for fashion.
In the spring of 1961 Georgia met Robert H. Bates III, who she later married on November 25, 1961. The two of them began a life together while Bob finished college in Dallas, Texas. In August of 1962 they moved to Springfield, Mo., and then onto Houston, Mo., where they started their journey of living in funeral homes. Later that year they welcomed daughter Melissa Rosanna. After a short stay there they moved to Rogers, Ark., and was there until1965 when they moved to Hot Springs, Ark., where they remained until 1970. After leaving Hot Springs their journey took them to Maryville, Mo., where in 1975 they welcomed a son, Robert H. Bates IV. In 1979 Georgia began a new career in which she truly found her passion. She began traveling selling women’s hand bags and women’s clothing. After Melissa graduated high school in 1982 they moved to Rayville, Mo., where after 27 years of marriage, her and Bob divorced.
In the fall of 1987 Georgia met Chuck Hartley who she began dating and moved to her first apartment where she ever lived alone. She remained in the Kansas City area until her death.
Georgia enjoyed gardening, shopping, traveling, but above all, she enjoyed spending time with her family. One thing is for sure, all of her grandchildren know what it means to be spoiled by Grammy (to Melissa’s kids) and Bah (to Bob’s kids) She was always in attendance to birthdays, holidays, school events and sporting events for her grandchildren. During her late 60’s and early 70’s almost every other weekend she would have her grandkids come and stay with her. They truly were her greatest joy.
Services will be held at Word of Life Church in St. Joseph, Mo., on February 2, 2019 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Arrangements in the care of Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, Excelsior Springs.
