Cates

Wanda Mardell Cates, 88, died Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, at Rockdale Estates.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Dec. 14, with Alan Gardenhire officiating. Burial followed at the Cates Cemetery.

Mrs. Cates was born Nov. 9, 1934, in Beggs, Oklahoma, to Harry and Ida (Stubblefield) Bell.

On Oct. 16, 1952, she married Ernest Ray Cates Sr. in Bentonville, Arkansas.

She lived in Rockdale for 67 years.

Mrs. Cates was a homemaker and a member of Rockdale Christian Fellowship.

She graduated from the Beggs, Oklahoma, schools.

Mrs. Cates enjoyed traveling and cooking large meals for her family, loved to shop and watch her grandchildren’s activities.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; a step-grandson, Joshua Bingham; six sisters; and a brother.

Survivors are her sons, Ernie Cates Jr. and wife Marilyn, Fred Cates and wife Cindy, all of Rockdale, Mark Cates and wife Lisa of Tulsa, Oklahoma; a daughter, Debra Davis of Temple; a sister, Judy Luna and husband Ruben of Mounds, Oklahoma; a brother, Eddie Bell of Salida, California; her grandchildren, Jennifer Hill and husband Shane, Brooks Davis and wife Jennifer, Ernest R. Cates III and wife Kristian, Charles Cates and wife Laura, William Cates and wife Katie, Fred Cates Jr. and wife Ashley, Tearle Cates and wife Megan, April Leita, Kelly Glasper and husband Shaun, and Mark Cates.

Also, a step-grandson, David McCann and wife Sunny; a step-daughter-in-law, Randi Bingham; and her great-grandchildren, Caleb, Brianna and Eli Hill, Savannah, Mason and Sable Davis, Carly and Chloe Gray, Azilee Leita, Bella Gray, Zahn and Mykea Glasper, Oliva, Finn Cates, Cian Cates, Henry, Alice, Nora Cates, Ava, Tylie, Emma Cates, Brooklyn, and Brantley Cates, Luke and Reese Bingham, Annalise and Elora McCann.

Donations may be made to the Dementia Society of America, P.O. Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901.

Mrs. Cates