Annie May Bates - Obituary

nnie May Pugh was born on October 13, 1922 to the iate Deacon Johnnie and Mrs. Bessie Pugh in Boykins, Virginia. Annie was predeceased by her brothers, Robert, Linwood and George; and her sisters, Rosa May Everett, Fannie Lee Thomas, and Frances Barnes. Annie attended Rising Star School in Branchville, Virginia. Henry Clayton Kee, of Southampton County, Virginia, was Annie's first husband. They relocated to Washington, D.C. shortly thereafter. They had a daughter, Mary Elizabeth, in Washington, D.C. Henry Kee preceded Annie in death. Annie enjoyed playing soft ball with her family and friends. She had a great love for house plants and they flourished in her home. Annie also had a flair for fashion. Her natural fashion sense was evidenced by her ability to coordinate ensembles not only for herself but for others as well. Annie career was almost exclusively in sales, which fitted well with her personality because of her ease and friendliness with all types of people. She served as a sales person until her retirement. Annie met her future husband Arthur F. Bates and they were married in 1980. She became a member of the Queens organization of the Knights of Columbus, St, Pius X Council and served as their Historian in 1993. Arthur Bates preceded Annie in death in January 2011. "Step-daughter, Lorraine Bates Akins, also preceded Annie in death in 2024. Annie leaves behind her daughter Mary Elizabeth Kee, Step-son Arthur Anthony (Tony) Bates, Step-daughter Carol Bates-Morris, Sisters Ruth Claud-Thomas and Doris Mildred Marshall, Niece Earnell Patricia Keels, Step grandchildren Joy Aikins and Arthur Anthony Bates, Jr., and a host of nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to Mrs. Bates' Life Celebration on Monday, January 13, 2025 from 10 a.m. until the start of the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 2800 Pennsylvania Ave., S.E., Washington, DC 20020. Interment Resurrection Cemetery.