BATES

Claretha McKlemmery Bates, 78, a resident of Franklinton, died at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2013, at Riverside Medical Center.

Born Aug. 17, 1935, she was a nurse’s assistant at Southeast Louisiana Hospital for many years, and attended Mount Zion United Pentecostal Church. She was an animal lover, and had enjoyed making jewelry. She often spent time helping to distribute food and supplies to those in need. Claretha never met a stranger and was always a very kind, talkative and generous person.

She is survived by her husband, Richard Bates of Franklinton; one daughter, Vickie Deere of Clinton, Miss.; two sons, Ronnie Moak and Walter Moak, both of Gulfport, Miss.; one granddaughter, Julie Deere; three stepchildren, Bryan Patrick Bates, Richard Dwayne Bates and Melissa Bates; two sisters, Thelma Kehoe of Franklinton and Ruth Nardella of Oak Harbor, Fla.; a brother and sister-in-law, Jerome and Doris McKlemmery of Columbia, Miss.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence McKlemmery and Ruth McKenzie McKlemmery; her first husband, Britt Moak; a sister, Elaine Boyd; and a brother, Arthur McKlemmery.

Visitation will be held Saturday, Oct. 19, 2013, at Mount Zion United Pentecostal Church, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., when the Rev. Leon Hickman and the Rev. Bryan Bates will conduct the funeral service. Burial will follow in the McNeese Cemetery.

Crain Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Obituaries can be viewed online at www.crainfh.com.