J. T. Morriss & Son Funeral Homes

Bates, Mary Jennie P.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Mary Jennie Parnell Bates, 65, of Chester, passed away Thursday, July 17, 2008. Born in Washington, D.C., she was the daughter of the late Edward Wesley and Florence Gay Parnell. She was a teacher of Marketing and Distributive Education for 16 years in the Dinwiddie County School System. During that time, she served as state secretary of the Virginia Association of Distributive Education Teachers. Mary Jennie was currently serving as President of the Burlington Garden Club in Petersburg. She was a member of the Petersburg Festival Chorus and Chester Presbyterian Church, where she was a member of the chancel choir. Prior to moving to Chester, she lived in and cared for Burlington, an historic Virginia Home built in 1730. She is survived by her husband, Robert W. Bates; sons, Roger W. Bates and wife, Karen of Kenosha, WI and Parnell Coleman Yeatts of Dinwiddie; daughter, Alene Gay Bates of Chester; granddaughter, Laura Elizabeth Bates; great-grandson, Christopher; siblings, Sarah Parnell Crewey and husband, Ed of Hopewell, Fran Parnell Barber and husband, David of Jacksonville, FL, Edward W. Parnell, Jr. and wife, Cheryl of Hamlett, NC, and Shirley Parnell Jones of Midlothian; brother-in-law, Donald Brooks Bates and wife, Jean of Grand Rapids, MI and Sarasota, FL; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of friends. A memorial service will be conducted at 3:00 PM Sunday, July 20, at Chester Presbyterian Church with The Rev. Lawrence Chapin officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Petersburg Festival Chorus, P. O. Box 248, Petersburg, VA 23804. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com

Kenneth and I were shocked to hear about Mary Jenny leaving us. I will alwasy remember the good time the four of us had together. Take care Bob.
Love
Carolyn & Kenneth

Posted by: CASrolyn & Kenneth Howerotn at July 25, 2008 10:55 AM

I was so shocked and saddened to learn of Mary Jennie's death and the overwhelming loss of her family and friends. I taught Mary Jennie and Bob and remember both of you so fondly as excellent and enthusiastic students. I have been mourning along with you ever since I saw the obituary and have been recalling the happy days we had together at VCU. I know that Mary Jennie brightened the lives of all her family members, students, friends, fellow church members, and all others who knew her. Please let me know if I can do anything helpful for the family during this very sad time. My love and devotion, Kay Brown

Posted by: Kay Brown at July 21, 2008 12:31 PM

Bob and family:
We are so sorry to hear of Mary's passing. We did not know she was ill. She was a very vivacious lady and we are sure will be missed by many. Our thoughts are with you at this time.
Bob and Camille Cline

Posted by: Robert and Camille Cline at July 21, 2008 09:54 AM

How lucky we were to have had Mary Jennie be a part of our lives as a wife, sister, mother, friend and neighbor. We will always remember her infectioius laughter, her unshelfness towards others, her enthuiasm, especially with her quilts, and her overall love and kindness. I will truly miss my friend.

Posted by: Sandra Richardson at July 20, 2008 12:47 PM

We both were so sorry to hear of Mary Jennie's passing. We had kept up on her illness, and knew she suffered greatly. We always enjoyed chatting with Mary Jennie at Meet and Greets, or other events. She always was full of live and her love of music was contagious. Love and prayers to Bob and Alene.

Eileen and David

Posted by: Eileen and David Wollenburg at July 20, 2008 09:08 AM

I am so sorry to hear of Mary Jennie's passing. She was always so friendly and gracious. I know that she will be truly missed. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy

Posted by: Eleanor Mitchell at July 19, 2008 12:46 PM

I am so sorry to hear of Mary Jennie's passing, but happy to know she is home with her Lord. Bob and Alene and the rest of the family, you are in my thoughts and prayers. She was a great lady and lived her life fully, if not all to shortly.

Posted by: Cindy Hamlin at July 19, 2008 06:57 AM

We were both so sorry to hear the news of Mary Jennie's passing. We didn't know of her illness until this week. May she be at peace.
With sincere sympathy, Alex & Judi

Posted by: Alex & Judi Heggie at July 18, 2008 11:56 PM