The Richmond News, Nov. 1, 2024

Marie Bates

May 30, 1931-June 25, 2024 Marie Holloway Bates, 93, of Clearwater, Fla., died at 2:30 p.m. June 25, 2024, while residing at Sabal Palms of Largo, Fla. She passed peacefully of natural causes, surrounded by family.

Marie was born May 30, 1931, in Ray County to John and Frances (Hayes) Holloway.

Her first marriage to Robert A. Taylor lasted 17 years. They raised four children in Tulsa, Okla., until their divorce in 1963.

She later married Ray Bates. Survivors include her daughter, Fai Taylor Cannon (m. Nyal Cannon) of Bermuda Run, N.C.; and two brothers, Melvin G. Holloway (m. Mary) and Donald R. Holloway, both of Richmond. Other survivors include seven grandchildren, Carla, Lori, Angela, Shavonne, Shay, Keara and Jason; seven great-grandchildren, Taylor, Jade, MaKensi, Amanda, Alexis, Isaac and Alleta; and one great-great-grandson, Ezekiel.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by five brothers: John Jr., Lester, Gary, Harold and Arnold (infant) Holloway, all of Richmond. Lastly, she suffered the loss of all three sons: Carl Allen, Dennis Dean and Robert Eugene Taylor, all of Tulsa.

Marie was a self-made woman with humble beginnings. She attended school only to the eighth grade and then went to work at the Excelsior Springs Hotel.

She married in 1947 and had her first child at 16. After some moving to various locales while having three more children, a home was established in Tulsa. There, she continued her education, and after trying several types of jobs, she decided she loved being a real estate agent. Later, she acquired her broker’s license and started her own company. She was proud of Marie Bates Realty, which she operated until her retirement.

She was family oriented and kept her children and grandchildren present in her life. She loved dancing, country music, celebrating everyone’s birthdays and visiting her beloved brothers in Richmond. She loved her many nieces and nephews, plus their children.

At 89 years of age, she could no longer live alone and moved to Clearwater to live with her granddaughter, Angela Meyers, and family. She resided with them until May of 2023, when she had to enter Sabal Palms because of health complications. That is where she spent the last year of her life, with family visiting often. During that time, Angela visited her daily, continuing to care for her.

Marie Bates lived a full life and will be missed by all. Her remains will be interred at Floral Haven in Tulsa. Services are in care of Memorial Park Funeral Home, St. Petersburg, Fla.

A second celebration of life was held Saturday, Oct. 26, at Richmond Memory Gardens.