Laverne Bates

Lottie Laverne Bates, age 91, of San Antonio, passed away on June 14, 2022. She was born in Bastrop, Texas on March 24, 1931, to Elward and Ruth Erwin. She was preceded in death by her father, Elward Erwin; mother, Ruth Erwin; brothers, Wesley G. Erwin and Elward (Dune) Erwin Jr.; Sisters, Marjorie Erwin, Elizabeth Marie Malewski, Nettie Kitchens; husband, Leon Bates; son, Michael Bates. Laverne is survived by her son, Carl Bates; son, Patrick Bates; daughter, Julie Boehme; daughters-in-law, Linda Bates, Mona Bates; son-in-law, Nelson Boehme; grandchildren, Brittany Wiatrek, Niessa Meier, Leah Sanchez, Melissa Jackson, Miranda Bates, Derek Boehme, Gregory Boehme, Preston Bates, Keaton Bates; and 16 great-grandchildren, Scott Wiatrek, Allison Wiatrek, Lyndsay Sanchez, Drake Meier, Eleanor Meier, Lukas Wiatrek, Leon Meier, Alaina Sanchez, Kara Sanchez, Jack Wiatrek, Kate Williard, Jonah Williard, Benjamin Sanchez, Trevor Jackson, Liam Bates, and Holden Williard.

She married the love of her life, Hubert Leon Bates on June 28, 1953. Laverne was a devoted wife, mom, aunt, and grandmother to her family. She was a woman full of compassion. She believed spending time with family was of the utmost importance and was committed to making lasting memories. She hosted large family gatherings each holiday, with hand-made Christmas stockings for each member. She enjoyed precious time with her golden haired angels, filling their days with fun including mornings of tennis and afternoons of swimming with orange freezes from Burger Boy somewhere in the middle. All of her grandchildren knew the thrill of being picked up from school in the Mercedes convertible. The entire family looked forward to the annual trip to the coast where they enjoyed jumping the waves and afternoon snow cone runs, with her beloved pug in tow.

Laverne’s life was full of many passions. She was an ardent supporter of USTA, helping to establish women’s team tennis in San Antonio, receiving many awards including the coveted Senior Spirit of Tennis Award in 1993. She also enjoyed painting, crochet, and days at the farm with her family.

Laverne was loved by many and will be dearly missed.

Funeral services will be held at Sunset Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 22, 2022. The viewing will be from 2:30-3:30 pm, followed by a chapel and graveside service beginning at 3:30pm.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sunsetfuneralhomesa.com for the Bates family.