Born in Anderson County, she was a daughter of the late Lester Cole and Ora Mae Young Thornton. She was a life long member of Chiquola Baptist Church and the Sylvia Kelly Sunday School Class. She was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother. She dearly loved her family. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.

Surviving are: two daughters, Connie (Robert) McGaha of Honea Path and Frances Davis of Abbeville, her daughter-in-law, Faye Bates of Honea Path, eight grandchildren, Robbie Mills, Beverly (Gene) Bullion, Christa Wood, Sheri Smalley, Jeffrey (Ami) McGaha, Susan (Brannon) Babb, Wendy (Michael) Abrams, and Rodney (Amanda) Bates, twenty great-grandchildren, Don Mills, Tiffany Mills, Will Buffington, Megan Bullion, Nichole Abrams, Kenyon Abrams, Allen (Summer) Wood, Anthony and Justin Wood, Brandon, Andrew, Chandler, and Davis Smalley, Lane and Kennedy McGaha, McKenzie, Luke, and Tyler Babb, Emma and Colby Bates and five great-great-grandchildren, Alexis Quarles, Nate and Gabriel Mills, Caytee Bullion and Rylan Wood.

She was predeceased by son, Ronald Bates, daughter, Rachel Bates, two brothers, Leon “Shorty” Thornton and Lester Thornton, and sister, Gladys Duncan.

Funeral services will be held at 3 PM Monday, February 20, 2017 at Chiquola Baptist Church with Rev. Brad Haynes and Rev. Jimmy Duncan officiating. Burial will follow in Garden of Memories.

The family is at the home and will receive friends from 1:30- 3 PM Monday at the church prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorials be made to the Chiquola Baptist Church Youth Ministry or Crisis Meals, 405 E. Greer Street, Honea Path, Sc 29654, or to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.ParkerWhitePruitt.com