Louise Plyler Mrs. Bates

Mrs. Louise Plyler Bates, 88, of Albemarle and formerly of Wadesboro, died Saturday, August 24, 2013. Funeral services will be 11:00AM Tuesday, August 27, in First Baptist Church located at 309 Lee Ave., Wadesboro, NC. The family will greet friends prior to the service beginning at 10:00AM. Interment will follow in Stanly Gardens of Memory in Albemarle. Louise was born in Stanly County on October 14, 1924, a daughter of the late James Blair Plyler and Retha Lowder Plyler. She grew up in New London attending school in Stanly County and after marriage moved to Wadesboro where she joined First Baptist Church. She was active in many areas of the church and was former chair of the Bereavement and Kitchen Committee - sometimes her second home. She was an excellent bridge player and had many good times with her bridge club friends. Louise retired as Plant Manager for Cassie Cotillion in Albemarle and Norwood. At age seventy she began a new career, taking care of Taylor, her first great-granddaughter. What a blessing for both! Devoted to her family, Louise celebrated all the major events in their lives with great joy. She baked many wedding cakes for family members and friends and especially enjoyed preparing fresh coconut cakes, caramel cakes, and her delicious 'from scratch' banana pudding. Thanksgiving was indeed a feast. She was the ultimate hostess and loved having family and friends in her home. Louise lived at Woodhaven Court Assisted Living in Albemarle the last five years of her life and the family would like to express their sincere and heartfelt appreciation to the staff at Woodhaven for the exceptional care and love they gave her. They are especially thankful for the extraordinary care provided by Dr. Rufus Lefler and staff and lastly to the angels of Hospice. We will be forever grateful. She is survived by her son, Gerald Bates and wife, Penny of Albemarle and Shallotte; a daughter, Retha B. Ross and husband, Michael, of Albemarle; grandsons, Alvin (Missy) Bates, Michael Dean Carpenter, David M. Ross; granddaughters, Leeanne (Greg) Burda, Sandra C. Teal; great-grandsons, Nolan Ross Burda and Timothy Taylor; and great-granddaughters, Taylor Bates, Ana Alejo, Rachel Burda, and Georgia Louise Burda. Also surviving is a brother, Elworth Plyler of Advance (formerly of Albemarle); sisters, Hazel P. Ridenhour of Effingham, SC, and Jewel P. Lambert of Albemarle; and many special nieces and nephews. Louise was preceded in death by her loving husband, Alvin K. Bates; brothers, John Harold Plyler, Herbert Rosselle Plyler, Ewell James Plyler; and a beloved grandson, Addison Moore Bates. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, PO Box 423, Wadesboro, NC 28170 or to Hospice of Stanly County, 960 N. First Street, Albemarle, NC 28001.