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Ruth Bates

October 20, 1918 - December 31, 2012
Service
Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home
3800 N. Big Spring St
Midland, Texas 79705
Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home
3800 N. Big Spring St
Midland, Texas 79705
Thursday 1/3, 2:05 am
Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home
3800 N. Big Spring St
Midland, Texas 79705

Mrs. Billy Carl \ Ruth\ Bates of Coahoma, Texas passed away to be with her Lord on December 31, 2012 after a lengthy illness. She was a resident of Howard County beginning in 1955 and was a member of the Coahoma United Methodist Church for the duration of that time.Nellie Ruth Backlin (Bates) was born on October 20, 1918 in Oakes, North Dakota to Swedish immigrant parents. She was the eldest of five children born to Fredolf and Anna Backlin. She attended school at the Verner Community one-room country school house near the family farm through the eighth grade. During that time, her mother passed away leaving Ruth as the maternal figure for her two brothers and two sisters. Her brothers were Melvin Backlin of Oakes, North Dakota and Jay Backlin of Missoula, Montana. Her sisters were Mrs. Vernon \Betty\ Cliffgard of Oakes, North Dakota and Mrs. Earnest \Doris\ Cotten of Missoula, Montana. All of her siblings predeceased her.Ruth worked for the town librarian as a live-in housekeeper during her high school years in order to have the opportunity to attend high school. After high school graduation, Mrs. Bates moved to Aberdeen, South Dakota where she attended nursing school at the Sisters of the Presentation Catholic Teaching Hospital. She graduated, earning her R.N. certification in 1942. She joined the United States Navy in 1943 during World War II and was a career Navy nurse for 10 years, separating from service in 1953. Ruth met and married Billy Carl Bates of Coahoma, Texas in August 1953 and the two were stationed in Japan for the first year of marriage as Mr. Bates was at the time still in the Navy. After returning to the states, Mr. and Mrs. Bates both attended Texas Technological College in Lubbock, Texas where Mrs. Bates earned a B.S. in nutritional science. Their only child, Carla Anne Bates (Quinters) was born in Lubbock in September 1958.The couple returned to Coahoma, Texas and began cotton farming in the late 50s and have lived in the area since. Mrs. Bates was devoted to her family, her community, and her church and never missed an opportunity to help someone who was in need. She was 94 at the time of her death.She is survived by her husband, Billy Bates of Coahoma; her daughter and son-in-law, Carla and Mark Quinters of Valley Mills; and her granddaughter, Nora Quinters of Valley Mills.The family suggests memorials be made to the Methodist Children's Home, 1111 Herring Ave., Waco, Texas 76708.Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, January 4, 2013 at Coahoma United Methodist Church with Rev. Derrell Patterson, officiating. Interment will follow at Coahoma Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Thursday, January 3, 2013, at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home.Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Big Spring. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,

Service
Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home
3800 N. Big Spring St
Midland, Texas 79705
Map
Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home
3800 N. Big Spring St
Midland, Texas 79705
Map
Thursday 1/3, 2:05 am
Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home
3800 N. Big Spring St
Midland, Texas 79705
Map

Mrs. Billy Carl \ Ruth\ Bates of Coahoma, Texas passed away to be with her Lord on December 31, 2012 after a lengthy illness. She was a resident of Howard County beginning in 1955 and was a member of the Coahoma United Methodist Church for the duration of that time.Nellie Ruth Backlin (Bates) was bornContinue Reading

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Pam & Dale left a message on January 7, 2013:
Bill & Carla, Ruth was a beautiful woman in and out. We loved her so much. I feel like I've lived next door to her all my life, even during the times I lived away. She has just always been my next door neighbor. I know Mother & Daddy will enjoy seeing her. And our thoughts and prayers have been and will continue be with you all.Please let us know if we can do anything. God Bless you! Pam & Dalle
Carl & Billie Sue Barnes left a message on January 7, 2013:
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this sad time. Ruth was truly an angel on earth. May precious memories soon take the place of your sadness.
Janene Shive Gryder left a message on January 7, 2013:
Carla, My mom and I are so sorry for your loss. She was a sweet lady and a good friend to my mom. My your memories soothe your loss
Art & Elaine Dehlinger left a message on January 4, 2013:
Bill, Art and I are sorry for your lose. Ruth was a great friend to my Mom, Imogene. Ruth was a delight to be with. She will be remembered.
Guy Teague left a message on January 4, 2013:
Mother and I are sorry for your lost. She was delightful lady to be with. We enjoyed the time that she visited the church with us.Cleta and Guy
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Karla Holman Clarke left a message on January 3, 2013:
Dear Carla,I am sending my deepest sympathies to you and your family during this time of loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. May God bless and hold you.Karla
Darla Rees left a message on January 3, 2013:
Dear Carla and family,I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom was such a kind and gentle lady who found humor in all situations. She filled her home with love and the aroma of her delicious cooking. She enjoyed planning and preparing her special recipes, and so did we! Although there are no words that can truly ease your pain, I pray that your memories will bring you comfort. I love you all! Darla and Mom
Paula McCraw Robinson left a message on January 3, 2013:
Carla, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. Your Mom was always so kind to us. Kindest regards, Paula McCraw Robinson
Tracy Logsdon left a message on January 3, 2013:
Carla, so sorry for your loss. I pray fun memories will replace your sadness with happy smiles. My Mom told me just before she passed she wanted to go play with the angels and I know your Mom is on that same heavenly playground.LoveTracy
Misty Logsdon Heckler left a message on January 3, 2013:
Our family lived beside Mr. & Mrs. Bates for many years when we were children. We could not have asked for better people to be neighbors with. They were so loving and caring, always spoke kindly and tolerated all of us girls playing in their yard and riding our bikes in their driveway. Mrs. Bates always brought us homemade goodies and I cannot remember a time when they did not buy something from the many fundraisers we participated in. What a sweet angel heaven has gained. She is definitely a wonderful part of our childhood memories. Mr. Bates, you are a very special man, you and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers!!Love, Misty, Brandy and Sandy
Pat McCraw Kuykendall Weeks left a message on January 3, 2013:
Carla, My thoughts and prayers for you and your family. Your mother is one of my fondest memories of Coahoma and the kindness she showed me and my siblings. I know she is in Heaven for her greatest reward.
Patricia (Ferguson) Moore left a message on January 3, 2013:
Dear Carla, I was so sorry to hear about your mom. She was a lovely lady and I will always remember her as the first person in whom I actually saw a living daily relationship with the Lord. I remember sitting at your counter in Coahoma and listening to her talk about taking the electric bill to Him. Mind blowing! Through the years I returned to that conversation many times as I considered what my own relationship to Him would be. Such a little thing perhaps, but to me it was immense and I will always be so grateful to her. Sadly, we won't be able to be there for her services (travel with Daddy is tricky), but even so we will be remembering your mom and holding you and your family in prayer during this time.
Ken left a message on January 3, 2013:
I worked for Mr. and Mrs Bates at the grocery store many years ago. They were two of the best people I ever met. My brother Ricky also worked for them and they were like family to him. He used to deliver groceries in the old white ranchero and he did not even have a license. I know a lot of families in Coahoma including ours that would have had a lot less on the table at times had it not been for Mr. and Mrs. Bates.
Sheila Bounds left a message on January 3, 2013:
Dear Carla and family, Your mother was such a fascinating and admirable woman, and I know you will all miss her greatly. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.Sheila
Enrique and Lynn Rosas left a message on January 3, 2013:
Enrique and I are thinking about you all and praying for you.
Wanda Weaver Turner left a message on January 2, 2013:
I am so very sorry for your loss. Mrs. Bates was a wonderful person, a very sweet and kind heart, an a great role model as a wife and parent. May she rest in God's hands, and may He give you all strength and pease during this time. Love to you all, Wanda Turner
Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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