Virginia Louise Fuller Bates, Darien, WI  (1917 - 2012)

May 21, 1917 - December 11, 2012
Virginia F. Bates, 95, Darien, died Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012, at her home. Virginia Louise Fuller Bates was born May 21, 1917, in Woodstock, IL, the daughter of Frank and Genevieve Paull Fuller. She attended schools in the Woodstock and Hebron, IL, areas and graduated from Hebron High School. Before her marriage she was a cook at private estates. On Sept. 5, 1936, she married Glenn W. Bates in Homewood, IL. She was a homemaker who also held several jobs in manufacturing. She worked at the Darien Food Mart from 1966 to 1979. Virginia was a Cub Scout Den mother for eight years and worked with Girl Scouts for 18 years, as a troop leader and member of the service team. A member of the Darien Community Baptist Church, she taught Sunday school and Bible school and was the church secretary for 16 years. She and Glenn were members of American Field Service for 20 years and hosted two students, Hilde Tuechies from Belgium and Sasithorn “Ing” Arunchaiya who came from Thailand.
An outgoing person, Virginia was active in social and service clubs, in her neighborhood and throughout the community. She grew beautiful flowers, was an excellent needleworker , cook and baker, and was famous for lemon meringue pies. She baked elaborate Santa face cookies and shared them with neighbors and friends around the world. She volunteered with Meals on Wheels.
Virginia is survived by her children: Glenda Hill of Genoa City, Julian of Pewaukee, Charles (Sharon) of Elkhorn, Laurie (Kevin) Rightmire of Medford, and Lynnette (Chris) Buzzell of Milwaukee; a daughter-in-law, Kathy Bates of Fox Lake, IL; 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; a brother, Richard (Joanna) Fuller of Elkhorn; and many nieces and nephews. Her grandson, Chris Bates, was her companion and care giver for the past two years.
A memorial service will be held at the DARIEN BAPTIST CHURCH on Saturday, Dec. 15, with visitation at 9 a.m. and the service at 10:30 a.m., with Pastor John Mancusi officiating. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made in her name to the Darien Baptist Church, P.O. Box 25, Darien, WI, 53114, or Aurora VNA, 103. N. Dodge St., Burlington, WI, 53105. The TOYNTON FUNERAL HOME, Walworth, assisted the family with arrangements.