Carolyn Alice Bates

Carolyn Alice Bates, age 68, died on Monday, February 4, 2019 at Kindred Care in Sycamore, IL at 11:00 p.m. From her birth in Cape Girardeau, MO on August 18, 1950 to her death on Monday, she nourished people around her with love, smiles and caring. She grew up on a farm in Benton, Missouri. 

Carolyn’s personal life started at the age of 18, she married John B. Woods and had her only child Melissa Woods Stephani. 

Carolyn worked for several years at the un-employment office in St Louis, MO and continued her working career as a single mother at Blue Cross Blue Shield in Marion, Illinois. During her working life she continued her college education at Shawnee Community College and finalized her working time at WPS Medicare before retiring in 2014. 

Carolyn was lucky enough to marry again to her true love Michael Bates. At the time of her death, they had been married 24 years and a couple for 29.

Left to honor Carolyn and remember her love is her daughter Melissa (Missy) Woods Stephani, her husband Mike Bates, two grandchildren; Trinity and Evan Stephani, her sisters and best friends Darlene Krystyniak (Keith) and Becky Owens (Dave). 

She was preceded in death by her loving parents, Lennis and Marjorie Lynn and her baby brother Ricky Lynn (Becky). 

Carolyn will be remembered as a bright, shining light that everyone adored.  

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Vienna VFW 102 8th St, Vienna, IL 62995. The family will greet family and friends from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23 with a buffet dinner and a half hour of remembrance. 

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Pay It Forward House, 719 Somonauk Street, Sycamore, IL 60178 or donate online at http://wwwpayitforwardhouse.org/donate/. This home welcomes families with open arms to stay at little cost to be close to loved ones during a trying time. 

Love lives in our hearts forever and her smile will live in all that knew her. 

“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.” —Thomas Campbell.