Shirley, the daughter of William & Evelyn (Bell) Parker was born in Port Huron on February 21, 1936.
After high school, Shirley attended the University of Michigan, where she earned her bachelor's of arts degree in primary education. It was also at the University of Michigan, that after agreeing to a blind date, she would meet her husband-to-be, Clark Bates. The couple married on June 21, 1958 and in that same year, made Gaylord their home.
Shirley taught 2nd grade for the Gaylord Community Schools. Later, she was the office manager for Flint Engineering in Gaylord. Shirley retired after several years as a 1st grade teacher at Gaylord St. Mary.
Shirley served Gaylord in a variety of ways. She was instrumental in developing the Red Cross Swimming program at the Otsego County Park. She served on the city council and the Otsego County Fair board.
She was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church and her childhood piano lessons served her well as the church organist for more than 20 years. She was also a member of the church choir.
Shirley's impact on the community led to her being honored as the 1988 Alpenfest Buergermeister. She also found time in her busy schedule to be involved in her sons' school activities, most importantly, band. She was formerly a freelance reporter for the Bay City Times and an active member of the Eastern Star, including the grand committee.
Shirley is survived by her husband of 55 years, Clark; 2 sons, Jeff (Susan) of Twin Cities, MN and Eric (Joan) of Lake Orion; grandchildren, Michael (Melissa), Kharl, Savannah, Ellianna, Olivia and Joshua; great granddaughter, Mackenzie and brother, Martin (Brigid) Parker.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Patricia.
Contributions in memory of Shirley Bates, may be made to the First United Methodist Church, through the Nelson Funeral Home, PO Box 1548, Gaylord MI 49734.
There has been a change in the funeral service. Shirley's husband Clark passed away on Saturday, August 31st and the family has decided to wait and hold a double funeral on Saturday, September 7th at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church. Visitation will take place on Friday, September 6th at the Nelson Funeral Home from 4pm - 8 pm.
After high school, Shirley attended the University of Michigan, where she earned her bachelor's of arts degree in primary education. It was also at the University of Michigan, that after agreeing to a blind date, she would meet her husband-to-be, Clark Bates. The couple married on June 21, 1958 and in that same year, made Gaylord their home.
Shirley taught 2nd grade for the Gaylord Community Schools. Later, she was the office manager for Flint Engineering in Gaylord. Shirley retired after several years as a 1st grade teacher at Gaylord St. Mary.
Shirley served Gaylord in a variety of ways. She was instrumental in developing the Red Cross Swimming program at the Otsego County Park. She served on the city council and the Otsego County Fair board.
She was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church and her childhood piano lessons served her well as the church organist for more than 20 years. She was also a member of the church choir.
Shirley's impact on the community led to her being honored as the 1988 Alpenfest Buergermeister. She also found time in her busy schedule to be involved in her sons' school activities, most importantly, band. She was formerly a freelance reporter for the Bay City Times and an active member of the Eastern Star, including the grand committee.
Shirley is survived by her husband of 55 years, Clark; 2 sons, Jeff (Susan) of Twin Cities, MN and Eric (Joan) of Lake Orion; grandchildren, Michael (Melissa), Kharl, Savannah, Ellianna, Olivia and Joshua; great granddaughter, Mackenzie and brother, Martin (Brigid) Parker.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Patricia.
Contributions in memory of Shirley Bates, may be made to the First United Methodist Church, through the Nelson Funeral Home, PO Box 1548, Gaylord MI 49734.
There has been a change in the funeral service. Shirley's husband Clark passed away on Saturday, August 31st and the family has decided to wait and hold a double funeral on Saturday, September 7th at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church. Visitation will take place on Friday, September 6th at the Nelson Funeral Home from 4pm - 8 pm.
Shirley, the daughter of William & Evelyn (Bell) Parker was born in Port Huron on February 21, 1936.
After high school, Shirley attended the University of Michigan, where she earned her bachelor's of arts degree in primary education. It was also at the University of Michigan, that after agreeing to a blind date, she would meet her husband-to-be, Clark Bates. The couple married on June 21, 1958 and in that same year, made Gaylord their home.
Shirley taught 2nd grade for the Gaylord Community Schools. Later, she was the office manager for Flint Engineering in Gaylord. Shirley retired after several years as a 1st grade teacher at Gaylord St. Mary.
Shirley served Gaylord in a variety of ways. She was instrumental in developing the Red Cross Swimming program at the Otsego County Park. She served on the city council and the Otsego County Fair board.
She was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church and her childhood piano lessons served her well as the church organist for more than 20 years. She was also a member of the church choir.
Shirley's impact on the community led to her being honored as the 1988 Alpenfest Buergermeister. She also found time in her busy schedule to be involved in her sons' school activities, most importantly, band. She was formerly a freelance reporter for the Bay City Times and an active member of the Eastern Star, including the grand committee.
Shirley is survived by her husband of 55 years, Clark; 2 sons, Jeff (Susan) of Twin Cities, MN and Eric (Joan) of Lake Orion; grandchildren, Michael (Melissa), Kharl, Savannah, Ellianna, Olivia and Joshua; great granddaughter, Mackenzie and brother, Martin (Brigid) Parker.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Patricia.
Contributions in memory of Shirley Bates, may be made to the First United Methodist Church, through the Nelson Funeral Home, PO Box 1548, Gaylord MI 49734.
There has been a change in the funeral service. Shirley's husband Clark passed away on Saturday, August 31st and the family has decided to wait and hold a double funeral on Saturday, September 7th at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church. Visitation will take place on Friday, September 6th at the Nelson Funeral Home from 4pm - 8 pm.
After high school, Shirley attended the University of Michigan, where she earned her bachelor's of arts degree in primary education. It was also at the University of Michigan, that after agreeing to a blind date, she would meet her husband-to-be, Clark Bates. The couple married on June 21, 1958 and in that same year, made Gaylord their home.
Shirley taught 2nd grade for the Gaylord Community Schools. Later, she was the office manager for Flint Engineering in Gaylord. Shirley retired after several years as a 1st grade teacher at Gaylord St. Mary.
Shirley served Gaylord in a variety of ways. She was instrumental in developing the Red Cross Swimming program at the Otsego County Park. She served on the city council and the Otsego County Fair board.
She was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church and her childhood piano lessons served her well as the church organist for more than 20 years. She was also a member of the church choir.
Shirley's impact on the community led to her being honored as the 1988 Alpenfest Buergermeister. She also found time in her busy schedule to be involved in her sons' school activities, most importantly, band. She was formerly a freelance reporter for the Bay City Times and an active member of the Eastern Star, including the grand committee.
Shirley is survived by her husband of 55 years, Clark; 2 sons, Jeff (Susan) of Twin Cities, MN and Eric (Joan) of Lake Orion; grandchildren, Michael (Melissa), Kharl, Savannah, Ellianna, Olivia and Joshua; great granddaughter, Mackenzie and brother, Martin (Brigid) Parker.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Patricia.
Contributions in memory of Shirley Bates, may be made to the First United Methodist Church, through the Nelson Funeral Home, PO Box 1548, Gaylord MI 49734.
There has been a change in the funeral service. Shirley's husband Clark passed away on Saturday, August 31st and the family has decided to wait and hold a double funeral on Saturday, September 7th at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church. Visitation will take place on Friday, September 6th at the Nelson Funeral Home from 4pm - 8 pm.
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