Alma (White) Bates

Alma (White) Bates, 108,of Hopewell Twp., passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, with her sons and daughters by her side. A few days ago, she was at home decorating her Christmas tree to celebrate Jesus’ birth; soon after, Jesus welcomed her home.

Alma was born July 15, 1915 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, to Arthur and Halda White on their journey from England to the USA. She graduated from Aliquippa High School, and worked as a model, in sales at the Pittsburgh Mercantile Company, and in the chemical lab at Jones & Laughlin Steel Mill during WW II prior to becoming a loving wife and mother. She was an Episcopalian, converted to Catholicism and was a member of St. Titus Church and then Our Lady of Fatima Parrish where she was a longtime member of the Confraternity of Christian Mothers. 

She is survived by her daughters Daryl Bates Stawartz (Thomas), Marsha Bates Krakoff (Peter), and her sons John Mathew Bates (Patricia, deceased) and Earl “Izzy” Francis Bates, sister Halda Hancock, and grandchildren Justine Ehntholt (Shea), Tess Krakoff, Earl Matthew Bates (Jenna), and Joseph Barnabi. 

She was proceeded in death by her parents, husband Earl Martin Bates, brothers Maxwell and Stanley White and sister Laura White Maloney.

She was the best mom and a guiding light to our family, and many others, as a den mother, girl scout leader, care provider, confidant, flea marketer, artist, poet, two-pandemic survivor, and nature enthusiast. She will be dearly missed and with us always.

Friends will be received on Monday 6-8pm in Darroch Cremation and Funeral Tributes, Inc. 2640 Mill Street, Aliquippa www.darrochfuneralhome.com where prayers will be offered on Tuesday at 9:30am followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10am in Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church.

Entombment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Villa, Baden, Pa.

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