Obituary of Judith Bates

Judith May Bates December 27, 1943 - August 22, 2015 Judith (Judy) May Millyard was born in Adrian, Michigan on December 27, 1943. She was one of three children born from the union of the late Harold W. Millyard and the late Ceciele (Netcher) Millyard. Judith was a graduate of Deerfield High School. Judy married the love of her life, Earle Bates, on August 26, 1961 at St. John's Catholic Church in Monroe. Judy was a hard worker and supported her family employed at Erie Mason Consolidated Schools, taking retirement in 2004. First and foremost, Judy loved her Lord and received her spiritual nourishment at Crosswalk Community Church. Her smile was contagious and she had a heart full of kindness and compassion for everyone she knew. Always having positive things to say, Judy made others better by being in her presence. To her children, she was more than a Mom, always giving of herself selflessly and was the rock and glue that held their family together. With the nick name "Energizer Bunny," Judy was always on the go. She enjoyed cooking and baking for her church functions and family occasions and was famous for her coconut cream pie and Texas sheet cake. Judy was an avid bargain hunter and garage sale warrior. She enjoyed sitting in her chair reading the newspaper and telling stories about her love for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Judy, age 71, of LaSalle peacefully passed away at 3:52am on Saturday, August 22, 2015 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio in Perrysburg, Ohio surrounded by her loving family. In addition to her parents, her passing was preceded by a grandson in 2006: Ryan Bates. To cherish her memory she leaves her beloved husband of fifty-four years: Earle Bates; her four children: Jeff (Dave) Bates, Scarlette (Nancy Blair) Bates-Phillips, Greg Bates and Suzette (Rick Miller) Bates; a daughter-in-law: Lisa (Scott Albain) Bates; two brothers: Bob (Sandy)Millyard and Gary (Pat) Millyard; seven grandchildren: Jamie (Rob) Lindsay, Joshua Bates, Ashley (Rob) Currie, Courtney Phillips, Jake Thompson, Zack and Luke Miller; six great-grandchildren: Tyler, Alexia, Landon, Ava, Ella and Ayden; her closest friend: Donna Shelp; and her beloved canine companions: Zoey and Talley Friends may gather from 2:00-8:00pm, Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at Merkle Funeral Service, 14567 South Dixie Highway, Monroe (734) 241-7070. She will Lie in State from 10:00am until a Celebration of Her Life at 11:00am on Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at Crosswalk Community Church, 925 South Telegraph, Monroe with Pastor Dale Hayford officiating. Procession will follow to Roselawn Memorial Park for burial. Memorials are suggested to the family. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com; Online Tributes page.