Carolyn Teague Bates - Obituary

arolyn Yvonne Teague Bates, 76, of Arnold, MD, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones after a valiant battle with heart failure on June 14, 2026. Prior to living in Arnold, Carolyn lived in downtown Annapolis with her husband and children for almost two decades. Born on September 13, 1949 in Burlington, NC to the late William Rudolph and Mildred Williams Teague, Carolyn spent the majority of her youth in Rocky Mount, NC. Carolyn attended Rocky Mount Senior High and graduated from Dobbyns-Bennett High School in Kingsport, TN. She followed her passion for writing and became a member of one of the first classes to integrate women into academia at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She graduated as a member of Phi Beta Kappa from “The J School” with a double major in Journalism and French in the class of 1971. Carolyn was also instrumental to establishing the Phi Mu chapter at UNC, which is still there to this day. Afterwards, she pursued graduate studies at The University of South Carolina. Carolyn began her career in her dream job—working as a reporter for The Columbia State Newspaper (Columbia, SC), The Rock Hill Herald (Rock Hill, SC), The Prince George’s Journal (Prince George’s County, MD) and The Associated Press. She also wrote regularly for Congressional Quarterly. Transitioning from journalism into politics later in her career, Carolyn eventually served as the press secretary for US Congressman Floyd Spence (SC) and then as the executive assistant to the deputy chiefs of staff for both Governor Robert Ehrlich (MD) and Governor Martin O’Malley. Carolyn and her husband Mike were dedicated members of Calvary United Methodist Church in Annapolis for forty years. She pursued fierce advocacy for women, children and animals; she founded the Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women in 1994 (then “The Maryland Commission for Women”) and was a long-time, active member of the Junior League of Annapolis. During that time, Carolyn championed legislation to benefit both people and animals alike, including getting legislation passed that mandated a 24-hour minimum stay for new mothers in the hospital after giving birth and helping ensure ferrets were recategorized as domestic pets in Maryland. . Her interests included her Christian faith and participation at church—particularly in her beloved bible study class. Carolyn also loved politics, the Tar Heels, anything Southern, and was an avid reader. She was most passionate about animals (dogs and ferrets especially) and was known for styling her famous “perfect hair” for any event big or small. Carolyn is survived by her husband of 47 years, Michael Bates of Arnold, MD; her three children, William Bates (Karen) of Savage, MD, Margaret Bates (Geneva) of Arnold, MD, and Julia Hall (neé Katie Bates) of Crofton, MD; her sister Shearin Cox of Apex, NC; her grandson Logan Bates of Savage, MD; as well as her nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law, and other family members. She is also survived by her darling yorkies, Danny and Pink. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Carolyn's life on Thursday, June 25 from 6 to 8 PM at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD, where her funeral service will be held on, Friday, June 26 at 11 AM. Interment will follow at St. James' Parish Cemetery, 5757 Solomons Island Road, Lothian, MD. The Bates family invites all who attend to congregate for fellowship afterward at Skipper’s Pier located at 6158 Drum Point Rd. Deale, MD 20751. In lieu of flowers, the Bates family encourages donations in Carolyn’s name to the SPCA of Anne Arundel Co. (https://aacspca.org). Condolences may be made by using the Memories tab on this page.