Patsy Bradford Bates

Patsy Routh Bradford Bates, age 83 of Olla, Louisiana, was born March 16, 1938 in Walters, LA to the union of the late Arthur Milton Bradford and Lela Bearl Cooper Bradford. She passed from this life on May 20, 2021. Patsy was a graduate of Block High School of Jonesville, LA. She continued her education at Northwestern State University where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1959. She taught first grade in Calcasieu, Rapides, and LaSalle Parishes. She became a Title I Teacher in 1977 where she touched the lives of many children teaching the Spalding Method in reading. She became a Master Spalding Teacher and did many workshops at Title I meetings in the Southeast United States and local schools in Louisiana. She retired in 1996 with 34 years. Patsy loved teaching children Sunday School in churches she attended.

Patsy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Wayne Lamar Bates; a son, Bradford Keith Bates; a sister, Rene Carter; and a brother, Jimmy Bradford.

Those left to cherish her memory are children: Rona Barbo (Steve), Patrick Bates (Cheryl), and Craig Sherrill (Jeffrey); sisters: Daisy Black, Betty Skipper, Wanda Stewart, Bonnie Champlin, and Judy Champlin; a brother, Ronnie Bradford; grandchildren: Morgan Barbo, Britton Barbo, Madison Bates, Nathan Bates, and step-grandchild, John Brady Sherrill.

Services will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, May 22, 2021 in the sanctuary of Olla First Baptist Church, Olla, LA with Bro. Dennis Baker officiating. Interment will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery in Whitehall, LA under the direction of Riser Funeral Home. The family will receive visitors from 9:30 A.M. until the funeral begins at the church.

Serving as pallbearers will be Steve Barbo, Morgan Barbo, Nathan Bates, Ralph Bennett, Eddie Stewart, and Darrell Black. Honorary pallbearer will be Britton Barbo.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to: Cliff Williams Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box 2990, Jena, LA 71342.