Obituary for Mary Ann Bates
Mary Ann Bates, 77, of Bonner Springs, KS passed away on Friday, June 11, 2021 at Providence Medical Center in Kansas City, KS. A Visitation will be from Noon to 1 pm, and and Memorial Services will be at 1 pm, both on Saturday, June 26 at the Alden-Harrington Funeral Home in Bonner Springs, KS and committal to follow in the Edwardsville Cemetery.
Mary Ann was born Mary Ann Richardson on August 20, 1943 in Kansas City Missouri to William Richard and Florence Eileen (Campbell) Richardson. Mary Ann grew up, lived and worked in Edwardsville and Bonner Springs, KS for most of her life. She retired from driving a school bus for the Bonner Springs Unified School District #204 after more than 40 years of employment. She once stated she had driven at least three generations while working for the district (students, parents and some of their grandparents). She was a founding member of the Bonner Springs Volunteer Ambulance department for 20+ years, starting at its inception in the 1980s, she also served as an ambulance chief. She was an avid reader having read hundreds of books during her lifetime. She loved gardening. Mary Ann was passionate about her Christianity.
Mary Ann was preceded in death by her mother Florence in 1985, and her father Bill in 1997, her brother William "B.R." Richardson in 2011, one grandson Michael Sean Stewart in 1981, two former husbands Ronald Lee "Ronnie" Shultz in 2017 and George "Ron" Bates in 2013. She is survived by her brother Steve and his wife Teresa Richardson, a sister-in-law Theresa Richardson. Daughters Patricia and her husband Gage Stewart, Ronna and her husband Cardale Harrison, Staci Ayn Shultz Burton and Jeff Nelson, Lesli Elyn Shultz, Mary Ann Junior Bates Scruggs, Vicki Bates and Willie Kayhill, and Kathy Bates. And sons John and Dana Bates, Ronnie and Sharon Bates, and honorary son Derek Shultz. 25 grandchildren, 10 honorary grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren with another one on the way and nine honorary great grandchildren.
Mary Ann was born Mary Ann Richardson on August 20, 1943 in Kansas City Missouri to William Richard and Florence Eileen (Campbell) Richardson. Mary Ann grew up, lived and worked in Edwardsville and Bonner Springs, KS for most of her life. She retired from driving a school bus for the Bonner Springs Unified School District #204 after more than 40 years of employment. She once stated she had driven at least three generations while working for the district (students, parents and some of their grandparents). She was a founding member of the Bonner Springs Volunteer Ambulance department for 20+ years, starting at its inception in the 1980s, she also served as an ambulance chief. She was an avid reader having read hundreds of books during her lifetime. She loved gardening. Mary Ann was passionate about her Christianity.
Mary Ann was preceded in death by her mother Florence in 1985, and her father Bill in 1997, her brother William "B.R." Richardson in 2011, one grandson Michael Sean Stewart in 1981, two former husbands Ronald Lee "Ronnie" Shultz in 2017 and George "Ron" Bates in 2013. She is survived by her brother Steve and his wife Teresa Richardson, a sister-in-law Theresa Richardson. Daughters Patricia and her husband Gage Stewart, Ronna and her husband Cardale Harrison, Staci Ayn Shultz Burton and Jeff Nelson, Lesli Elyn Shultz, Mary Ann Junior Bates Scruggs, Vicki Bates and Willie Kayhill, and Kathy Bates. And sons John and Dana Bates, Ronnie and Sharon Bates, and honorary son Derek Shultz. 25 grandchildren, 10 honorary grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren with another one on the way and nine honorary great grandchildren.