A beautiful, compassionate, Christian, and matriarch of the Love and Smith Family ended this life on December 18, 2009. Mrs. Lola Bell Love Bates, the fourth of ten children was born to James Samie Love and Mary Smith Love, April 8, 1915 in Westfield, NC and was reclaimed by God on December 18, 2009 in Durham, NC.
She attended public school in Westfield and at an early age became a member of Chestnut Ridge Primitive Baptist Church.
She moved to Winston-Salem, NC in 1934 and became a member of Goler Memorial AME Zion Church. She taught Sunday school and was a member of the Ladies Usher Board, Vice President of the Chorus Choir, a member of the Missionary Society, and the Stewardess Board. She was there when the church was destroyed by fire and for the rebuilding.
She married James T. Bates on February 4, 1944. In 1952 they relocated to Washington, DC and became members of John Wesley AME Zion Church under the leadership of Dr. E. Franklin Jackson. In 1952 she was given the task of caring for Altar flowers and later helped to organize the flower club named after Dr. E. Franklin Jackson. She served as President for over forty years. She served as president of the Deaconess Board No.1 and the April Birthday Club. She was named Woman of the Year at John Wesley AME Zion Church in 2001 and was active in many other clubs and organizations.
She was Grand Matron of the Order of Eastern Star for over 30 years and was Grand Matron Emeritus at the time of death, a member of the National Council of Negro Women, National Temple and Charity Board, National Deputy for Daughters of ISIS and Second Lt. National Grand Court of ISIS. She was inducted into the Livingstone College Hall of Fame.
Mrs. Bates was preceded in death by her parents, James and Mary Smith Love; her husband for over fifty years, James T. Bates; five sisters, Lillie (Howard) Watkins, Martha L. (Joseph) Penn, Annie Love, Collie Love, and Nora Love; one sister who died at birth; and two brothers, William (Simmie) Love and Andrew (Mary Sue) Love.
She is survived by one sister, Allie Love of Winston-Salem, NC: two God-children, Vicky Herman of Winston-Salem, NC and Clifford Brown of Freehold, NJ; a devoted niece and nephew, Evelyn Penn of Winston-Salem, NC and Roland Penn of Adelphi, MD; a special friend, Emma Alexander of Silver Springs, MD; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 1pm Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at Goler Memorial AME Zion Church with Reverend Dr. Seth O. Lartey officiating and Reverend Vernon A. Shannon of John Wesley AME Zion Church Washington, DC eulogist. Interment will follow in Crestview Memorial Park, Rural Hall, NC. The family visitation will be held from Noon until 1pm on Tuesday at the Church.
The funeral procession will assemble and leave from the home of William and Gloria McIver at 3711 Carver School Road Winston-Salem, NC.