Katharine Richards Bates

Katharine "Kathy" Richards Bates, 75, of Spartanburg passed away on Sunday, November 19, 2023. Born August 16, 1948, in Roanoke, VA, she was the daughter of the late Daniel and Helen Richards. She was the loving wife of the late Thomas Victor Bates, III (Vic) until his passing in 2015. A graduate of T. C. Williams High School and Queens College in Charlotte, NC, Katharine earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. She was a dedicated educator, teaching grades K-12 for nearly 40 years, spending the greater part of her career teaching kindergarten at St. James United Methodist Kindergarten. Her knowledge, wisdom, and wit were defining characteristics of a bright personality that she shared graciously with her students, friends, and family. Katharine was a loving mother, not only to her children and grandchildren, but to all who walked through her door. She always provided love, care, and a plate of food or a place to stay. She was a talented homemaker, crafting elaborate homemade cards with her extensive stamp collection, as well as knitting, sewing, and baking unique gifts for those she loved. Her work ethic, selflessness, and faith in God are a few of the many great examples she left behind as a testament to the amazing woman she was. She is survived by her daughter, Rebekah Bates Stout; grandchildren, Nathan Alexander Bates and Chloe Victoria Bates; and brother, Daniel Wentworth Richards, Jr. of Salem, VA. In addition to her parents and husband, Katharine was predeceased by a daughter, Laura Katharine Bates. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 9, 2023, in J. M. Dunbar Funeral Home Chapel, 690 Southport Road, Roebuck, SC 29376. The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider contributing to donorschoose.org.