Cynthia Bates

Cynthia Lancaster Bates., 

ebruary 24, 1944 - March 19. 2025

Cynthia Marie Lancaster Bates, 81, of Kingsport, Tennessee, went on to her heavenly reward on March 19, 2025. Cynthia was born to Rev. Lawrence and Margaret McMillen Lancaster February 24, 1944. Cynthia was happy to welcome into their family her sisters, Gloria and Anna.

Cynthia graduated from Soddy Daisy High School in Soddy. Tennessee, where she enjoyed playing basketball and excelled academically, she met her future husband, Paul Bates, in Etowah, Tennessee, where her father pastored Wesley Memorial Methodist Church. Paul was a chief radiologist at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga. Cynthia graduated as a Registered Nurse graduating from Erlanger School of Nursing at the Chattanooga Medical College which later incorporated into the University of Tennessee. Paul and Cynthia were married at Daisy Methodist Church, Daisy, Tennessee, in June of 1964. Cynthia and Paul were totally devoted to one another and to the practice of medicine.

Born out of this marriage and love for one another were two beloved children. Dana and Jason. Cynthia worked for 42 years in several hospitals taking care of thousands of people. She was promoted to the position of Infectious Disease Control Nurse while serving at Unicoi County Hospital, Erwin, Tennessee.

Cynthia is preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Lawrence Lancaster and Margaret Lancaster, and her beloved husband, Paul Bates. She is survived by sister, Rev. Gloria Lancaster Rhudy and sister, Anna Lancaster Cox and brother n law, Dr. Bobby Cox. Also surviving are her daughter and son-in-law, Dana and Tony Skaggs of Johnson City. Tennessee. and son and daughter-n-law Jason and Angela Bates of Gray, Tennessee. Also surviving are five grandchildren: Caleb Bates, Jacob Bates, Cody Skaggs, Madison Skaggs. And Zack Skaggs. Cynthia will be missed by many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and friends.

Cynthia was an avid reader and an intellectual. She enjoyed leading and teaching not only as a nurse but also in various assisted living and nursing care facilities. She would take her cane, walker or wheelchair up and down hallways and invite people to teaching or to singing services she had helped plan. Cynthia struggled with her limited mobility and pain but she remained a faithful servant of Christ. She was a member of Grand View Christian Church, Johnson City, Tennessee. She loved painting and writing books.

The family would like to thank the many, many years that Wendy Ward befriended Cynthia and served as a volunteer caregiver. Also thank you to the staff at Holston Rehabilitation and Care Center of Kingsport, Tennessee, and also Holston Valley Medical Center of Johnson City, Tennessee.

A service of celebration of her life and home-going will be held at Morris Baker Funeral Home on Monday, March 31 with a visitation for family and friends from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM followed by the service at 2:00 p.m. The service will be conducted by the Rev. Aaron Wymer and assisted by Rev. Gloria Rhudy. The internment and committal service will be held at a later date at Monte Vista Memorial Park, Johnson City, Tennessee where Cynthia will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Paul Bates.

Memories and condolences may be shared via www.morrisbaker.com

Morris-Baker Funeral Home, 2001 E Oakland Ave, Johnson City, is honored to serve the Bates family. (423) 282-1521