Jean Bates Rife went home to her Lord Jesus on Jan. 2, 2015 from Denton,TX.
She was born in Denton, Texas on July 16, 1927. Jean graduated from Irving High School and from University of N. Texas at Denton. She was an accomplished musician, writer and music teacher. She wrote poems, a childrens book and several musicals that her children performed in at the Methodist churches they attended. She was a devoted foster mother and elected Christian Mother of the Year in Arlington, TX in 1969 by Church Women United of Arlington, TX. She was a certified lay speaker in the Methodist church and was active in Transport for Christ and later the Association of Christian Truckers. She ministered many Sundays at the truckstops in Mesquite & Denton. She was the proud descendant of Rev. William E. Bates who founded many Methodist churches in N. Texas in the mid 1800s. Visitation will be held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Monday. Funeral services will be at Mulkey - Mason Funeral Home, 705 N. Locust, Denton, TX on Tuesday, January 6th at 10:00 am. followed by a short graveside service at the Oak Grove Methodist Church Cemetery. She will be buried along side her brother, mother, daughter, son-in-law and many other Bates descendants.
She is predeceased by her mother & father Josephine & Eugene Bates, her brother Jackie Bates Sr. and her daughter Elsie "Sarah" Rife. She is survived by daughters Donna Taylor and husband John, Sheila Minney and husband Ranger, Faith Bates, a son Lyndon Rife and wife Julie, and step-daughters Sharon McCann & husband Gene, Lori Bridge and Becca Roberts, nieces & nephews, and a multitude of grandchildren & great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by all.
"Now that I'm with Him He's leading me on into adventures where I'd never gone. Trusting Him always where ever I go. My Lord is calling, I can't say "No". " My Lord Calls Me by Jean Bates Rife