Betty Bates

Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Barganier Bates, 79, passed away suddenly Wednesday, October 9, at Hamilton Medical Center.   She was the daughter of the late William and Mae Barganier of Dalton.  Betty was a life-long resident of Dalton.  She was a lifetime member of Christ Church Presbyterian, formerly First Presbyterian Church of Dalton, where she was an active volunteer, choir member and bible study participant.

She taught in the Dalton Public School System for 26 years and Dalton State College for 10 years.  She graduated from the University of Georgia, cum laude, in 1962 and was a member of Chi Omega Sorority.

She graduated from Dalton High School in 1958.  She was DHS Sweetheart and a member of the National Honor Society.  She was a charter member of The Creative Garden Club for 52 years and served as its president.  She was also a member of Gourmet Gardeners.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, William and Mae Barganier of Dalton and her sister, Shirley Barganier Gilchrist of Birmingham, AL.  She is survived by her husband of 57 years, John Morris Bates, Sr.; daughter Elizabeth Michel Bates of Rocky Face, GA; son and spouse John Morris Bates, Jr. and Laura Bates of Chevy Chase, MD, and daughter and spouse Allison Bates McConaughey and Warner McConaughey of Atlanta, GA; grandchildren Zadie, Wilson and Lucy McConaughey of Atlanta and Keelin and John Bates of Chevy Chase, MD.

Memorial Services will be held Saturday at 1 pm in the sanctuary of the ChristChurch Presbyterian with Rev. Eric Geil officiating.  The family will receive friends at ChristChurch Presbyterian Saturday from 11 to the memorial hour at 1 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Christ Church Presbyterian 510 S Tibbs Road, Dalton, GA 30720.