Mrs. Doretha Bates

January 25, 1938 - April 30, 2022

BATES, Mrs. Doretha - Age 84, passed away Saturday, April 30, 2022, at her residence. Family hour 12:00 PM Saturday, May 7, 2022 at House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church 1851 W. Carpenter Rd., with funeral services commencing at 12:30 PM, Pastor George Hodges, officiating. Interment Gracelawn Cemetery, 5710 N. Saginaw St. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the Church 12:00 PM Saturday, Mrs. Bates will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 1:00 PM-6:00 PM Friday. Mrs. Doretha Bates was born January 25, 1938 in Indianola, Mississippi, the daughter of Frank Byrd and Cora Lee Carter. Doretha was a resident of Flint, Michigan and a faithful member of House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church where she served on the Mothers Board. Doretha was employed at the Flint Board of Education until retirement. She enjoyed cooking, gardening and going to second hand shops. Doretha also enjoyed taking care of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Mrs. Doretha Bates leaves to cherish her memory: 2 daughters, Dorothy Bates and Margaret Bates, both of Flint; 2 sons, Larvester (Karen) Bates of Pine Bluff, AR and Michael (Theresa) Bates of Little Rock, AR; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; 2 brothers, Joe Byrd and Archie Byrd, both of Flint; a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, other relatives and friends including special friend, Angela Hickmon. Mrs. Bates was preceded in death by her husband, W.T. Bates; daughter, Brenda Bates; son, Anthony Bates; grandson, Damarrio Miles; parents, Frank and Cora Lee Byrd; Lee Dora Whitaker, Essie Mae Spiller, Eddie Mae “Happy” James, Betty Hargrow, Nellie Thomas, Andrew Byrd, Eddie Frank Byrd, Willie Lee Byrd and Benjamin Byrd. The family would like to express special thanks to Hurley Medical Center, University of Michigan Hospital, All American Hospice, House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church family and Rev. George Hodges.