Mary Bates, 79, of Springfield, left this life to meet our Lord, Savior and Creator on January 22, 2013. Mary was born to William Henry and Laney Harris on November 30, 1933 in Arkansas.  Mary married Wilton Earl Bates on June 19, 1951 in Benton, Ar. She was a member of the Kountry Kuzins Square Dance Club. She enjoyed cooking, gardening and sewing, she will be remembered for her coconut cream pie.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Bates; one daughter, Carol Cruise; her parents; two brothers; and one sister. She is survived by her children, Sherry  Howard and  husband Bill of Kirksville, Mo., William Bates of Arizonia City Az.,  Mary Jane Ice and husband Kevin of Wolfe City, Tx., Steve  Bates and wife Sonyia of Republic, and Joyce  Heinrichs  and husband Mike of Willard; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; one sister, Barbara Doss; and a host of family and friends. Memorial Services will be 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, January 30, 2013 in Greenlawn Funeral Home North with burial in Missouri Veterans’ Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, January 29, 2013 in the funeral home.  In Lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.