Lynn Bates

Lynn Bates Georgia “Lynn” Bates. On October 8, 2013 Lynn Bates of Wharton, Texas entered into eternal rest after a lengthy illness, which she fought with grace and dignity. She was born July 5, 1944 in Cherokee, Oklahoma to Robert Max and Barbara Adair Rodgers. Her beloved husband Don Bates preceded Lynn in death, passing away the same day by a mere two hours. Theirs was a true love story. Lynn cared for Don as he battled illnesses even when she was suffering. Lynn moved with family from Cherokee, Oklahoma to Houston, Texas in 1956. She was in the first graduating Class of Westbury High School in 1962. She attended Sam Houston State University and majored in education and was a twirler in the band. Lynn always loved to dance and performed in the schools theatrical performances. Lynn received her undergraduate education degree and followed with a Masters in Kinesiology. Lynn married her college sweetheart and football team player, Don Bates, August 20,1966. His football coaching jobs took them to Hitchcock, Lumberton, Brownsville, and Wharton ISDs, as well as to Sam Houston State University, Ranger Junior College, and Wharton County Junior College. In Lumberton, Lynn formed her first of many school dance teams. In 1976, she started The Lynn Bates School of Dance in Wharton. For the past 37 years, Lynn as taught dance (3 yrs to adult) in Wharton and Bay City. For approximately 30 years she instructed the Junior Jazz Dance Company, a competitive dance team, composed of young teenage women, winning many national honors. Her Dancing Divas, the adult dancers, were always a crowd favorite at her annual dance recitals. Through the years she was invited to be a guest instructor and or judge at numerous national dance festivals and drill team camps. She was a member of several national dance educator organizations. She also competed in ballroom dance competitions. Her legacy is the success of her dance students. Lynn has helped many young women reach their potential not only in dance, but also in life. Today her former students credit Lynn for helping them learn poise, grace, self-esteem, etiquette, a dedication to hard work, and the importance of caring for others. To many she was a second mom. Lynn Bates is survived by her sister Lana Gean (Rodgers) Wynne (Houston, TX) and nephew George Parker Wynne, Jr., his wife Abigail, and sons Andrew and Matthew; niece Barbara Nicole Wynne; brother Robert Max Rodgers, Jr. wife Donna Marie (Houston, TX), niece Katy Marie Rodgers and nephew Robert Max Rodgers III and his daughter Vanessa Marie. A Memorial Service for both Don and Lynn will be held Saturday October 26, 2013 at 1:30 pm at the Wharton High School Auditorium, 1 Tiger Avenue, Wharton, Texas 77488. A reception will follow at the Holy Family Life Center, 2009 Briar Lane, Wharton, Texas 77488. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation at www.ocrf.org. A memorial website has been established at ilasting.com where testimonials may be entered and links to the charitable foundation may be found.