Anita Jo Bates' Obituary
Anita Jo Bates was born Anita Jo Williams to Thelma Lee Leonard Williams and Walter Harold Williams on February 19, 1941, in Chickasha, OK. With her father having a career in the Navy and her parents’ divorce, she was often looked after by her large extended family while living in Duncan, OK - thus instilling her love of family.
She graduated from Duncan High School in 1959 and in later years took several courses at Tulsa Junior College.
She had quite a career history. She took stewardess training with Eastern Airlines. She worked at the Duncan Banner, where she met her first husband, Sam Fox, in the early 1960s and was married to Sam until their divorce in 1981. She worked at T.G.& Y. stores in advertising, owned her own local tour business – Around Tulsa Tours, and again worked at T.G.& Y. as an executive secretary, where she met her future husband, Gene Bates. She worked at several travel agencies, a few business schools, and at Eastern Airlines for System One – where she won numerous service awards. After her marriage to O.E. “Gene” Bates in May of 1987, they opened Bates & Associates Realty where they worked side by side for many years. During this time, she also found time to manage several condominium communities in the Tulsa area. In later years she was dedicated to taking care of Gene as his health declined until his passing in 2016.
She had a love for gardening, decorating, dogs, and beach life. Throughout most of their marriage, Gene and Anita would take several trips a year to Destin, FL, their favorite relaxation destination. They also enjoyed working in their beautiful, extensive gardens and admiring them from their back porch view in the evenings.
After Gene’s death, Anita moved to the Honey Creek community. There she met several amazing friends, continued her love of decorating and gardening, and was able to relax and enjoy herself.
Anita’s love for family and friends was unwavering. She was always there for encouraging words, all kinds of advice, a helping hand, or a shoulder to cry on.
Anita was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Nancy Martin of California, both of her husbands, and her beloved dog Lizzy. She is survived by her brother Skip and Sharon Williams of Duncan, OK, her daughter Leigh Rae and John Keathley of Mounds, OK, her son Craig and Lisa Fox of Tulsa, OK, and her stepchildren Laurie and Rick Davis and Jill and John Dilger. Not to be forgotten is her loving dog, Stella. Her local grandchildren include David Sell, Brittany Fox, Tiffany Beach, and Sydney Fox. She also leaves behind several extended grandchildren and even several great grandchildren. Her friends and entire family, of course, will never forget her love and friendship that she has always shown.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, Tulsa Botanical Gardens, or OK Save A Dog Society. The family wants to thank all of you for being part of Anita’s amazing life.
Celebration of Life services will be held Friday, June 9th, 2023 at Floral Haven Funeral Home - Rose Chapel at 11:00 AM with Minister Dianna Matli officiating.
A reception will follow after services at the Floral Haven Family Center from 12-2 PM
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