Gladys Evonne Bates

Gladys Evonne Bates was born February 22, 1951 in Blair, SC to the late Sarah Ruth Steele. She departed this earthly life on Wednesday, February 26, 2020 in Columbia, SC.

Ms. Bates was educated in the public schools of Fairfield County, graduating from McCrorey-Liston High School in Blair, SC. Gladys worked for many years at many of Columbia’s well-known restaurants and hotels, most notably S&S Cafeteria, the Adam’s Mark Hotel, and finally at Baptist Medical Center in the foodservice department.

Ms. Bates regularly attended services at First Nazareth Baptist Church where she enjoyed the preaching of Pastor Blakely N. Scott and the singing of the Jubilee Choir.

Ms. Bates was preceded in death by her mother, Sarah Ruth Steele and as of the writing of this obituary she was joined in heaven by her youngest sister, Denise Sarah Steele, who parted this earth on March 3, 2020.

Ms. Bates leaves to cherish her memory her son, Willie (Sandra) Steele; three grandchildren, Sierra Steele, Aaron Steele, and Eric Steele; one sister, Sally (Twan) Aye; one brother, Thomas Steele; two nieces, Lisa Steele and Shantea (Darryl) Douglas; two nephews, Robert Steele and Troy Steele; 14 great nieces and nephews; and a host of other family and friends who mourn the loss of Ms. Bates.

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