Doris Bates

Doris Bates dedicated her life to loving those around her and taught us that being a mother is truly a matter of the heart. With her loving soul mate by her side for over 67 years, she created a family that grew to include the grandchildren who were her greatest source of pride and joy. Throughout her life, Doris possessed a vibrant faith that was not only her constant companion, but the compass she used to direct her steps. She selflessly gave of her time to help those in need and in doing so, significantly impacted the lives of so many within her reach. A true blessing in the lives of many, Doris will be deeply missed. Nestled within the vibrant decade of the 1920s, the year 1923 was full of several noteworthy events. It was during this year that Time Magazine was launched, African American musicians such as Louis Armstrong burst onto the scene, and Calvin Coolidge was sworn in as President of the United States. This was an exciting year for a young couple from Shelby, Michigan, named Walter and Laura (Cook) Webber since it was on Valentines Day that they welcomed their daughter, Doris, into their hearts. Doris was the oldest of six children in her family including her siblings Mike, Betty, Norman, Barbara, and Phyllis. Her father worked at the Basket Factory in Shelby while her mother was a busy homemaker. The Webbers were a close knit group who attended St. Stephens Lutheran Church in Shelby where Doris learned to embrace her personal faith. It was as a junior in high school that Doris met a fellow classmate who would forever hold the key to her heart. His name was Joseph Bates and he was one year her senior. Doris was actually dating a buddy of Joes when they met but when the relationship between Doris and Joes buddy fizzled, Joe took the opportunity to ask Doris out. A dating relationship ensued and as WWII raged on overseas, Joe answered the call to serve by joining the Army. Deeply in love, the couple became husband and wife on May 10, 1943, in Shelby while Joe was home on leave. Grandma Webber and the family had to pool ration coupons in order to pay for the reception. As a newlywed, Joe resumed his military duties and was shipped out to Europe during WWII for the following three years. Although she had aspirations of becoming a nurse, Doris worked in a local factory, Anaconda Wire in Muskegon, like so many other women during this time. She moved into an apartment there with a girlfriend and waited for her husbands return. Once Joe fulfilled his military duty, he returned to his bride and the couple lived in Muskegon Heights for a time. It was there that they welcomed their son, Brian, in 1947. They eventually settled into a house on West Norton Avenue in Norton Shores where they raised their active family that grew to include four more children: Cynthia, Brenda, Craig, and Kurt. This is where Doris lived throughout the rest of her life. She fully immersed herself into caring for her children and was actively involved in their lives. The Bates family faithfully attended Trinity Lutheran Church together, and the children attended Trinity Lutheran School where Doris served on the school board and was active in the PTA. Doris also sang in the church choir, taught Bible studies, and was active in the womens circle. Although Doris was not able to become a nurse as a young woman it was a dream that remained with her. Later in life, she decided to go back to school, attending Muskegon Community College. Doris became an LPN in 1971 and worked at Hackley Hospital during the 1970s. She also sold Avon products during this time. After leaving the hospital, Doris drove a school bus for Westshore Lutheran School for a time, but she continued to put her nursing skills to good use by volunteering for blood drives and flu clinics. The heartbeat of the Bates family was spending time together. During the summer months they spent a lot of time at a cottage on Long Lake near Walhalla that they owned with Doriss brother, Mike. What started out as a glorified hunting cabin grew into a gathering place for many of their extended family members. Doris and her family were there nearly every weekend and for an entire week during the summer. At times there were family members sleeping in tents and trailers outside where the good times and laughter were always plentiful. They had great times boating, waterskiing, and gathering around the campfire sharing funny stories about life and having more serious conversations at times as well. The kids were also known to go skinny dipping in the lake there a time or two. There were also a few family vacations to places outside of Michigan and a special trip to the Holy Land that Doris took. But much of Doris and Joes social life revolved around their extended families and since they both had large families, this was more than enough. They remained close with both families through the years. As the years went by Doriss son Kurt struggled with some emotional challenges. It doesnt come as a surprise to those who knew Doris that she tenderly cared for him during these trying times. She became involved in Community Mental Health Services and spent countless hours filling out paperwork and making sure that Kurt received the treatment he needed. The family was given a tough pill to swallow when Brian, Doriss oldest son, was diagnosed with cancer five years ago. He fought hard, but recovery was not to be and he died in October of this past year. After his death, Doris grew weaker and after years of tending to the needs of those around her, her own health began to rapidly decline. In everything she did, Doris Bates was a warm and welcoming presence in the lives of those around her. She considered it both her greatest gift and highest calling to care for her husband and children throughout her entire life. Doris took each moment captive and made it her own and as a result, she leaves behind a brilliantly colored mosaic of memories to be forever cherished by those she leaves behind. Doris Bates died on Wednesday, January 26, 2011. Doriss family includes her husband, Joseph; sons, Craig (Margie) Bates, Kurt Bates; daughters, Cynthia (Clark) Bates Twining, Brenda (Steve) Leafers, daughter-in-law, Janet Bates, all of Muskegon; grandchildren, Anne VandenBosch, Doug Twining, Heather Daniels, Lindsey Ketner, J'nai Wallace, Jared Twining, Gillian Twining, Shawna Leafers, Ashleigh Twining, Joe Leafers, Brian Bowen, Kurt Bowen, Ted Bowen, Holly Willer; brothers, Mike (Ruby) Webber, Norman (Valencia) Webber; sisters, Barbara Fessenden, Phyllis Cook Webber. She was preceded in death by her son, Brian; grandson, Kristopher; sister, Betty Campagna. A service will be held on Monday, January 31, 2011, 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Dennis Lassanske officiating. Visit with Doriss family and friends on Sunday, 2-5 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home Muskegon location Muskegon, MI and Monday 1 hour prior to the service at the church. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or make a donation to Trinity Lutheran Church or Mercy VNS Hospice.