Betty J. Knox Bates

SHREVEPORT, LA - Betty J. Knox Bates passed away peacefully June 27, 2015 at the Grace Home from complications due to renal failure. Betty was born January 16, 1925 in Southwestern Oklahoma to Raymond Luther Knox and Bertha Anna Hoffman Knox. She attended high school in Friendship, OK and continued her education in a business college in Altus. While entertaining the troops at the local USO, she met the love of her life, Willie Acie Bates. They married in 1943. After the war, they lived in several different locations, finally settling in McAllen, TX in 1955. They were successful business partners operating a bakery and restaurant for many years. They were also direct distributors for Amway. Bill died tragically on a mission trip in Mexico in 1982. In 2002 Betty moved to Shreveport to be closer to her sister, Darlene. Not having been blessed with children of her own, her nephews and nieces were very special to her. Later in life, she was called "Aunt Betty" by all of the family.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and her brother, Raymond D. Knox. She is survived by two sisters, Bobbie J. Knox Wells of Huntington Beach, CA, and Darlene Knox Conrad of Shreveport, LA; nephews, Dwayne Knox and his wife, Christie of New Iberia, LA, Mark Conrad of Shreveport, Kirk Conrad and his wife, Kathleen of Houston, TX; nieces, Rita Harris and her husband, Dean of Vidor, TX, Elaine Moody of Huntsville, TX, DeAnn Deutsch and her husband, Herman of Huntington Beach, CA and Beth Robinson and her husband, John of Bossier City, LA. She is also survived by a host of great-nephews and nieces who loved their "Aunt Betty" dearly.

Funeral services celebrating the life of Betty Bates will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 28, 2015 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Chapel, 1815 Marshall Street, Shreveport, LA. Visitation will follow immediately after the service. Officiating will be Rev. Betsy Eaves, pastor at St. Lukes United Methodist Church. Interment will be held at a later date in McAllen, TX.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 6012 Youree Drive, Shreveport, LA 71105 or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 9457 Brookline Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70809.