Wanda Bates

Mrs. Wanda (McLain) Bates, 76, has risen to meet her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Mrs. Bates was born February 5, 1942 to Donald and Mildred (Samson) McLain. She lived an adventurous life in her home state of Michigan and her adopted state of Florida, moving to Green Cove Springs in 1991 to help raise her new grandchildren. Along with her husband of 57 years, they co-founded McKinsey Steel and Supply of Ft. Lauderdale, Sun Metals and Supply of Pompano Beach, and Datildew Corporation of Green Cove Springs. She was a member of Hickory Grove Baptist Church and the YMCA of Fleming Island. Her hobbies included making dolls for newborns, crocheting, knitting, and quilting and making baby blankets for Navy wives. Her number one hobby was fishing and showing up her husband. Wanda was a warm and caring wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She was preceded in death by her parents Donald and Mildred McLain, and Russell and Evelyn Bates. Survivors are her husband, Byron Bates of Green Cove Springs, children, Stuart Bates of Green Cove Springs, Karen Minster of Kalamazoo, MI, and Diane Fidler of Carleton, MI. She is also survived by her sister, Sandra McLain of Kalamazoo, MI and brother Michael McLain of Marshall, MI and her grandchildren, Jimmie Fidler, Jacob Fidler, and Jessica Fidler all of Carleton, MI. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 17 at Hickory Grove Baptist Church with Pastor Russell Franklin officiating. A time of visitation will be held at 10:30 a.m. until the start of the service. Please omit flowers, the family requests an act of kindness to be shown to someone in need. Arrangements under the care of Helm-Gallagher Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1811 Idlewild Avenue, SR 16, Green Cove Springs, Florida 32043. 904-284-9696 www.helmgallagherfh.com Visitation Tuesday, April 17, 2018 10:30 AM - Hickory Grove Baptist Church 310 S Oakridge Avenue Green Cove Springs FL 32043 US A Celebration of Life Tuesday, April 17, 2018 11:00 AM - Hickory Grove Baptist Church 310 S Oakridge Avenue Green Cove Springs FL 32043 US Funeral Home Helm - Gallagher Funeral Home - Green Cove Springs 1811 Idlewild Avenue Green Cove Springs FL - 32043 US (904) 284-9696