Daisy Ilo Bates

Daisy Ilo Bennett Bates On August 6, 1913 in the beautiful hills of Buleadean, North Carolina, a baby girl names Daisy was born to Arthur Benner and Sally Honeycutt. One of Daisys fondest childhood memories was of running through the mountains and streams with her three sisters and two brothers. While she was very young, Daisys parents loaded her and her siblings and all the family belongings onto a wagon and headed over the Smokey Mountains. Daisys recollection of that journey was one that stayed with her for many decades to come. The family came to settle in the Johnson City area of the Tennessee Valley. It was there that a new life started for Daisy, with school and hard work that helped support the family. In 1931, Daisy married John Lee (Jake) Bates and a life of love of family and commitment followed. Their union produced four children and a family business. As co-owner and bookkeeper for Bates Auto Parts, Daisy still had a dream of her own to pursue. She saw a great need for a childrens day care center in the Johnson City area. Her vision, her compassion for children and much hard work made her dream a reality with the opening of the Little Pow Wow Day Nursery in 1967. For many years, she cared for and helped educate young children, who returned years later with their own children to place them in the trusted hands of Miss Daisy. Because of her unrelenting dedication, the child care business flourished beyond her wildest dreams. Daisy continued to work, raise her family, care for her ailing mother and practice her faith. She was a self-taught pianist and sang in the church choir at the First Baptist Church in Jonesborough. She later became a member of the Central Baptist Church in Johnson City. As the years passed, Daisy was always there for her family. She loved and nurtured them with ever-so-practical guidance and patience. On that August day in 1913, little did her parents know, when choosing 'Daisy'? for her name, that one of its meaning in Websters dictionary is 'outstanding'?. In the eyes of her family and friends, this is a word that describes her completely. Daisy was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers (Clyde Bennett of Maryland, Elwood Bennett of California), Her sisters (Roberta Reese of Virginia, Rema Little of Tennessee), one son (Richard Bates of Phillippines), two grandchildren (Cindy Quayle of Indiana, Mark Bates of Tennessee). Daisy is survived by one sister (Maudesta Bishop of Georgia), three children (Roy Bates and Penny Merritt both of Tennessee and Kenneth Bates of North Carolina), eight grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. Daisys passing brings about a deep void and a great sorrow within us. With the passage of time, her spirit, her love and our memories of her will lessen our current sadness. Thats the way Daisy would want it to be. Daisy will be laid to rest at Monte Vista Memorial Park following a graveside service at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 1, 2011 under the direction of Minister Darrin Smith. Family and friends are asked to assemble at the cemetery by 2:45p.m.