Eva Leona Bates

Eva Leona Bates, 82, of Hannibal, Mo. passed away at 8:20 a.m. Tuesday, September 13, 2016, at Maple Lawn Nursing Home in Palmyra, Mo. A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 17, 2016, at Antioch Baptist Church. There will be no visitation held. The family is being served by the Smith Funeral Home & Chapel. Eva was born on June 8, 1934, in Oakwood, Mo. the daughter of Richard and Eva Pearl (Long) Sebers. She was married to Thomas Andrew Bates on July 6, 1951, in Hannibal, Mo. He preceded her in death on November 11, 1993. Survivors include four sons, Thomas Martin Bates (Clara) of Hannibal, Mo., Michael Andrew Bates of St. Louis, Mo., David Monroe Bates of Hannibal, Mo., and Jeffrey Scott Bates (Pebbles) of Hannibal, Mo.; one stepson, Anthony Bates (Paula) of Wise, Va.; four daughters, Pamela Mae Johnston (Joseph) of Lake of St. Louis, Mo. Barbara Kay Jones (Gregory) of Hannibal, Mo., Vicki Lynn Greenwalt of Quincy, Ill, and Teresa Lee Young (James William) of Hannibal, Mo.; one brother, Wayne Sebers (Linda) of Monroe City, Mo.; one sister, Rhea Stoud of New London, Mo.; special friend, John James Earnest of Hannibal, Mo.; sixteen grandchildren; thirty-nine great grandchildren; and one great-great grandson; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Bates was preceded in death by one brother, Richard Sebers II, one sister, Armida McClain and two grandsons, Andrew and Patrick Greenwalt. Eva attended school at Tilden School in Oakwood. After high school Eva went to work at Western Printing and later worked at the Hannibal Diagnostic Clinic and retired from J.C. Penney's as a sales associate. Mrs. Bates was an active member of the Moose Lodge before her husband's passing. Eva and her husband enjoyed cutting the rug especially "The jitterbug" every weekend at various dance halls around Hannibal. Eva also enjoyed crocheting, reading, gardening, playing Bingo at the Hannibal Nutrition Center every Thursday and spending time with her family at gatherings. Mrs. Bates was a Baptist by faith. Eva's Grandchildren will serve as Honorary Pallbearers. Memorial contributions may be made to the family to assist with funeral expenses, in care of Smith Funeral Home & Chapel. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.smithfuneralhomeandchapel.com