Jessie Mae Bates
January 3, 1943 — August 10, 2023
Jessie Mae Bates, daughter of Lillian and Herman Caldwell was born January 3, 1943 in Seymour, Missouri. She was baptized at a young age in the Baptist faith. Jessie attended a one room country school from 1st grade until 6th grade. She then went on to Republic, graduating in 1960.
After graduation, she moved to Springfield, Missouri and worked at some well known restaurants. She was also the co-owner of Pied Pipers Inn in Springfield, Missouri and occasionally helped other lounge owners with bartending and being a cocktail waitress. In May 1961, Jessie married Winston Bates, to this union three children were born; Winston Jr, Suzette, and Greg Bates. After living in Missouri and California, Jessie moved to Iowa 43 years ago (1980).
After moving to Harlan, she went to work at West Central Community Action where she helped in various departments for over 25 years. Jessie retired in 2008.
She met Ken Richards in 1981 and they spent 18 wonderful years loving and caring for one another. Those were beautiful years, they were truly soulmates. Jessie loved spending time with Ken in the truck and she spent most of her vacation days with him. After the death of Ken in 1998 and her son, Winton Jr. in 2000, she was known to tell everyone to take time out for those you love as you might not have tomorrow with them. She would also remind everyone not to take life for granted.
Jessie’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were always the loves of her life. She enjoyed spending lots of time with them. Family was always very important to her. Jessie was very active in Relay for life after Ken’s death. She also spent time being a hospice volunteer. She loved her home and took great pride in her yard and flowers. She loved her two black beauties, Subway and Midnight.
Jessie passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 10, 2023 at Jennie Edmunson Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa attaining the age of eighty years, seven months and seven days. She was preceded in death by her parents Mr. and Mrs. Herman Caldwell; sisters, Doris Tuter and Edna Bebout; children, Winston Jr, Greg, and Suzette; Ken’s parents, Mr. And Mrs. Harold Richards; loving companion and best friend, Ken Richards and his daughter Tracie Lyn Richards.
She is survived by her grandchildren, Shawn (Melinda) Bates of Harlan, IA, Jessica (Mardy) Anderson of Harlan, IA, Joseph (Jade) Leal of Harlan, IA; great-grandchildren, Keagan, McKenna, Aaron, Tyler, Gavin, Kelsie, Lucas, Levi, Catalina and Lorenzo; brothers, Sam (Mary) Caldwell of Billings, MO, Rick Caldwell of Conway, MO, Larry (Sheri) Caldwell of Mount Vernon, MO; sister, Brenda (Pat) Bileyn of Springfield, MO; nieces; nephews; other relatives and many friends.
After graduation, she moved to Springfield, Missouri and worked at some well known restaurants. She was also the co-owner of Pied Pipers Inn in Springfield, Missouri and occasionally helped other lounge owners with bartending and being a cocktail waitress. In May 1961, Jessie married Winston Bates, to this union three children were born; Winston Jr, Suzette, and Greg Bates. After living in Missouri and California, Jessie moved to Iowa 43 years ago (1980).
After moving to Harlan, she went to work at West Central Community Action where she helped in various departments for over 25 years. Jessie retired in 2008.
She met Ken Richards in 1981 and they spent 18 wonderful years loving and caring for one another. Those were beautiful years, they were truly soulmates. Jessie loved spending time with Ken in the truck and she spent most of her vacation days with him. After the death of Ken in 1998 and her son, Winton Jr. in 2000, she was known to tell everyone to take time out for those you love as you might not have tomorrow with them. She would also remind everyone not to take life for granted.
Jessie’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were always the loves of her life. She enjoyed spending lots of time with them. Family was always very important to her. Jessie was very active in Relay for life after Ken’s death. She also spent time being a hospice volunteer. She loved her home and took great pride in her yard and flowers. She loved her two black beauties, Subway and Midnight.
Jessie passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 10, 2023 at Jennie Edmunson Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa attaining the age of eighty years, seven months and seven days. She was preceded in death by her parents Mr. and Mrs. Herman Caldwell; sisters, Doris Tuter and Edna Bebout; children, Winston Jr, Greg, and Suzette; Ken’s parents, Mr. And Mrs. Harold Richards; loving companion and best friend, Ken Richards and his daughter Tracie Lyn Richards.
She is survived by her grandchildren, Shawn (Melinda) Bates of Harlan, IA, Jessica (Mardy) Anderson of Harlan, IA, Joseph (Jade) Leal of Harlan, IA; great-grandchildren, Keagan, McKenna, Aaron, Tyler, Gavin, Kelsie, Lucas, Levi, Catalina and Lorenzo; brothers, Sam (Mary) Caldwell of Billings, MO, Rick Caldwell of Conway, MO, Larry (Sheri) Caldwell of Mount Vernon, MO; sister, Brenda (Pat) Bileyn of Springfield, MO; nieces; nephews; other relatives and many friends.
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