Carol Janis Green-Bates, age 82, passed away March 13, 2023 at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Missouri.

She was born February 16, 1941 in Bell City, Missouri, daughter of the late Marion Ace Green and Ida Bell Pixley-Green.

Carol was a member of Bell City Southern Baptist Church. She enjoyed fishing, ATV riding, working in her garden, taking care of animals and spending time with her grandchildren. She worked as a sewing machine operator for Thorngate before retiring.

Survivors include her children, Vester (Karla) Bates of Bell City, Martha (Hughes) Surface of Sikeston, Carolyn (Terry) Moss of Alabama, and Bobby Bates of Bell City; 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, Sylvester Bates; five brothers, Elmer Green, Henry Green, Raymond Green, Glenn Green, and Harold Green; three sisters, Alma Vandegriff, Mary Bradshaw, and May Tilley; and one grandson, Stephen Scott Bates.

Visitation will be held Friday, March 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Ponder Funeral Home where funeral services will be held Saturday, March 18, at 11:00 a.m. The Rev. Joe McCullough will officiate.

Interment will follow at the Matthews Cemetery in Matthews, Missouri.

Pallbearers will be Lisa McBride, Brooke McBride, Jonathan Surface, Jason Bates, Elizabeth Surface, Lacy McBride, Brian Surface, and Austin Bates.

Honorary pallbearers will be Dustin Bates and Sylvia Bates.