Mary R Cates

Mary Ruth Young Cates, 84, of Converse, LA, passed away peacefully on Monday, Aug, 8, 2016. Mary was born on July 28, 1932. She was the only girl with five brothers. That made for a very rough and tumble upbringing. Can anybody say "Tomboy". She met and married her husband of nearly 50 years, Coach Roy Cates in Converse and once married moved to Lake Charles. There she began her career of 30 years as a elementary 5^th grade teacher at T.H. Watkins with a Master in Education. An avid outdoors woman, she enjoyed fishing, hunting and gardening with two green thumbs. She played basketball, was avid sports fan and loved her Saints "WHO DAT". She loved all of her dogs throughout her life with a special attachment to her beloved Brittany Spaniels and adored her 4 granddog. She also took delight in playing piano at Church throughout her life. Once retired she and Coach moved back home to Converse and raised cattle for many years. With the passing of Roy in 05 she showed her true spirt of strength and courage and faith in God when she was diagnosed in 2010 with Leukemia. She spent the last 5 years om clinical trials at M.D. Anderson in Houston, TX, under the outstanding care of Dr. Guillermo Garcia-Manero. She knew that the research from her study could save countless lives in the future as she helped others. Her family will be forever grateful to Dr. Garcia-Manero and staff at M.D. Anderson. Those left to cherish her memory are her only son, Dr. Thomas Cates and wife Joy of Lake Charles, Granddaughter Charlene Shawa and Greatgrandchildren, Benjamin Shawa and Emily Shawa of Canton, Georgia. Her only remaining brother, Floyd Young and wife Doris of Van Buran, Arkansas. Also her very special BFF, Sara Wiley of Converse. Funeral service will be held Friday, 8/12/16 at Kilpatrick Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Mansfield, LA, visitation from 8-11 and funeral service at 11 with burial following at Oak Grove Cemetery. Rev. Randy Parker and Rev. Bob Latham will officiate. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to American Cancer Society.