Rachel was my first friend at Oak Ridge she taught me lots of new things and how to be a teammate and to follow your dreams and never give up she told me if I had any problems to call her I could always come to her with anything I miss her so much I wish she was still here I am praying for her she will forever be in my heart...  R.I.P.     

(Josalyn Van Gundy

David, Brenda, and family,
We are truly saddened by the loss of Rachel. We have so many fond memories of her from junior high athletics. Her smile and spirit made a lasting impression on us all. Thinking about and praying for your entire family. Rachel and your family will forever be in our hearts.
York Jr. High Girl's Coaches

met Dave and Mike Malone two years ago at NCAA Wrestling Championships in Oklahoma City. We all had a great time and became good friends. Dave was as proud a father and spoke of Rachel in such glowing and proud terms. She was like a daughter to Mike and a sister to Mike's two boys Mason and Matt. This year while at NCAA's in St Louis, you could see how close Matt and Mason were with Rachel ...and at night, her name worked it's way into the conversation numerous times even though neither Dave nor Rachel were there. Both Mike and Dave are big solid tough guys who sure have their priorities straight but I am sure this is something that will bring even the toughest guy to their knees. Condolences to Brenda and Leigh also.  RIP Rachel only wish I could have got to meet you in person.

Rachel if you only knew how much you inspired me and continue to inspire me. I love you so much sis. I will never forget you and i will try to make you proud.

Prayers for all who loved Rachel. God Bless

Rachel was so special and beautiful, Cheyenne thought of her as a Sister. I am so sorry for your loss and I know no words can change your sadness but I think about Rachel every day and pray for your family.

David, may God comfort you and your family during this time.

Our family is keeping your family and Rachel in our prayers. My daughter, Bridget, said Rachel was a sweet friend to her at the dorm and misses her greatly. May God give you strength.

My heart hurts for you and your family. I pray that God will give y'all strength and courage during this time of grief. 

"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted" Matthew 5:4

I first met Rachel in the Oak Ridge Wrestling room over five years ago. She had been a lifelong swimmer and I believe she played volleyball, but she had never wrestled.

Her first week, she listened and didn't speak. She soaked up wrestling like a sponge and took a pounding day after day, week after week, frequently from boys. She kept coming back for more.

Five plus years later, she is a 4X State Qualifier, she placed 5th her junior year, and won a state title her senior year. I believe she also placed at Fargo twice.

I mention her wrestling accomplishments because the sport is so mentally and physically demanding, her amazing accomplishments in such a short period of time speaks to the person she was. She was such an intelligent, hard-working, thoughtful young lady. Those attributes she displayed on the mats were also evident off the mat. Her respect for others and her love for God, her family and friends were the only things more important to her than wrestling. 

We have enjoyed lots of practices, tournaments, family get-togethers; Rachel, my boys Matt and Mason, and our friend Matt Fleming were like siblings. Rachel IS their sister. My wife and I now have some idea of what it's like to have a daughter. 

We love you Rachel and we love the Bates family. Our prayers are with you!

As the parent of a Wayland student, I grieve for your loss.  My daughter did not know Rachel personally, nor did I..but please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.  May you lean upon God in your time of great sorrow.  I pray The Lord hold you in the palm of His hand and give you strength to stand as your world is crumbling. I pray you find comfort in knowing that you are thought of and prayed for by so many and may your memories of Rachel give a ray of light in this dark time.

David,
What a beautiful young lady! We will be praying for healing for you and your family during this unexplained loss. Try to be strong David for your family. Army strong, my brother.

David, Brenda, Ethan, Abby and Lydia - words cannot express how my heart aches for all of you. Rachel was a beautiful, smart, caring and loving person whom I am blessed to have known and become close too. She helped our family out so many times with watching Trevor and Tyler for us. She will be truly missed and it is so wonderful to see all the beautiful things so many people have to say about her. She was truly loved!  I will miss her. Love to you all and we will miss having you right across the street. Love, Jennifer

David,
We are truly sorry to hear of the passing of your beautiful daughter.  Please accept our condolences. Our prayers and thoughts go out to you, your family and friends during this time.

I cannot express the deep sadness we feel for your loss. Your family is in our prayers.

Brenda and David,  I am truly sorry for the loss of your daughter. I seen her pictures and the videos of her wresteling. She was very beautiful young woman who could take it to the mat. She was a remarkable person from what I have read and seen. She looked so much like her mother in her younger years. You have my prayers in this sad time. To both families you have my deepest condolences for the loss of your loved one.

David, our hearts were saddened when we learned of your loss. Our prayers go out to you and your family, bless y'all.

Brenda and family, I may not have know Rachel But from the messages I Have seen she was a beautiful young lady . If she was anything like her mom she was a great person all around. My thoughts and Prayers are with you and your family.

David and Family, words cannot express the sadness we all feel at your loss of such a bright daughter at such a young age. You are in our thoughts.

Rachel was such a beautiful and talented young lady.  My heart is heavy for you and your family.  Continued thoughts and prayers for you David.

David,

I just heard the news. My heart mourns with this tragic loss and I have your family is in my prayers.

David and Family,

I am so sorry to hear of your loss, my family and I will keep you and all of your family in our thoughts and prayers. I pray to give you strength to get through this difficult time. Take care.

David, my heart hurts for you and your family. Y'all are in my heart and prayers. She was beautiful. Wish you were here. Or I wish ii was there.

Brenda and David and family - we are so sorry for your loss.  We remember Rachel as a little girl with so much passion and zest for life and - wow - so athletic, even then.  May God comfort you as only He can.  Praying for you!  ~ Pryce and Ashley Black

David- and family, I just heard about your tragic loss- I don't have the words, but I just wanted you to know that I am thinking about you and praying for your peace! My dear friend, David- may you and your beautiful family find some kind of comfort in happy memories of your Precious Rachel.  My family will continue to pray and keep your ALL in our prayers.  Love, Kathy (Hughes) McGrenera and family

Rachel you were a bright shining star... You were greatly loved and will be missed. I wish my son could have met you more then once he loved you and your brother and sisters.. I love you soo much I just wish I told you that more... My heart will always have a spot for you.. R.I.P My Cousin I love you

You are in our prayers. There are no words to express the sorrow we feel for your loss.  We loved Rachel very much...

Phillip, Candi, Brooke, Jacob, and Andrew Seaback

David you been my friend for over 30 years and I cannot expressed my sympathies enough for the loss of your precious daughter.   You and your family will be in my and my parents prayers......

Words can not express the sorrow we have for the loss of your precious daughter Rachel.  The Bates family are all in our thoughts and prayers.
  Deepest Sympathy,
Mike, Dana, Andrew, Cody & Hannah Smith

David and Brenda, your family is in our thoughts and prayers. We pray for comfort and peace during this difficult time.

David, Brenda and family,
You are in our prayers! We are so sorry to hear about the loss of Rachel. She is so special. May God grant you peace in your sorrow.
In deepest sympathy,
The Fagans

David,
I'm so sorry to hear about Rachel.  I had not met her but you spoke very affectionately and highly of her.  I could see what a proud, beaming father you are and she was blessed to have such a loving, supportive family.  You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Brenda,

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your Beautiful Daughter Rachel.  Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this most difficult time.

Rest in Peace Rachel. You will be missed, and your family is in our prayers.

I am a Klein parent hearing of your lost....I am so sorry.Sending prayers .

Im praying for Rachel's Family and Rachel. I didn't get to meet Rachel but I know her mother and I heard nothing but great things from people that Rachel and I have in common. Im sorry for the lose Bates Family, My heart truly breaks for all of you.

Words cannot express my sadness for Rachel and her family.  My heart breaks for her family as well as those who were close to her.  She was a shining star and will be greatly missed by all that knew her.  She was a special part of our family as well.  The Malone family will always remember those special times we had at tournaments and at home when we invited her over for her favorite cajun meal, gumbo.  May you rest in peace, Rachel.  We all love you.  Leigh, Mike, Matt and Mason

I'm heartbroken for Rachel. She always brought a smile when we would meet up. I pray for Rachel's family.

OBITUARY

Rachel Nicole Bates

December 16, 1995 – March 31, 2015

Laurel Land Funeral Home & Laurel Land Memorial Park

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