Leilla "Lee" Bates

Leilla “Lee” Bates, 78 of Idabel, passed away June 1, 2019 at her home. She was born October 8, 1940, the daughter of Leona and Elmer Neuendorf.  

Lee married Howard Damon “Dee” Bates on December 14, 1957 at Warrenville, Illinois.  They were members of Community Baptist Church in Warrenville until moving to Oklahoma.   They attended the First United Methodist Church at Redland. 

Lee was a vice president of Idabel National Bank in the loan operations department and had worked at the bank for over forty years.  She was loved and adored by her customers.

She enjoyed spending time with her grandkids, working in her yard, riding horses, cooking, knitting and crocheting.

Lee is survived by her husband, Dee Bates; sons and daughter-in-law, Don and Kara Bates of Redland and Jeff Bates of Redland; grandchildren, Elizabeth Bates, Amber Bates, Kyle Bates, Travis and Cynthia Bates; great-grandchildren, Claire Robinson, Allison Robinson, Vega Arrendondo; numerous other family members and her Idabel National Bank Family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Claude and Gurtha Bates; and sister-in-law, Viola Taylor.

At the request of Lee, a private family inurnment will take place at a later date.

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