Dorothy L. Bates

Dorothy L. Bates, 92, of Saluda, NC, formerly of Meadville, died Sunday, June 20, 1999, at Autumn Care of Saluda following a period of declining health.

She was born in Central Falls, RI, June 16, 1907, a daughter of John and Louisa Hemphill Lawson.  She married Dr. Richard L. Bates.  He preceded her in death January 17, 1984.

She was educated at the Mary C. Wheeler School in Providence, RI, and the Bouve School of Physical Education in Boston, Mass.  She also studied dance with Pauline Chellis in Boston and Martha Graham in New York City.  She had been a dance instructor for a brief period.

In Meadville, she had been a founding member and past president of the Antique Study Club; a member of the Hillside Home Board of Directors, the Auxiliary of Crawford County Medical Society, the Gallivanters Club, Order of the Eastern Star, the Iroquois Club and Country Club; and a former mother adviser of the Order of Rainbow for Girls.

In South Carolina, she was a member of Duncan United Methodist Church of Inman.  She was also a patron of the Spartansburg Youth Theatre and the Ballet Guild, and a member of the Association for Retarded Citizens.

Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Tom (Mary Lee) Owens of Inman; a son, David Lawson Bates of Meadville; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Lawson.

Services were held at Robert W. Waid Funeral Home.

Interment was in Greendale Cemetery.