Virginia Norlene Bates, 88, of Kingsbury, passed away peacefully at 5:24 p.m., Monday, May 2, 2022 in her home.

 

She was born a farm girl on August 17, 1933, on her family’s farm in Hamlet, Indiana, to Darl Warner Lile and Elinora (Forsdike) Lile.

 

Virginia enjoyed attending church with her family formerly at Davis Wesleyan Church, Hamlet and more currently at Walkerton United Pentecostal Church. She was a hard worker who enjoyed gardening, country cruises (“Her history lessons.”), and dancing and singing to her favorite album while house cleaning on Saturdays. Most importantly, her children and grandchildren were her heart and soul. Virginia was the best mother, grandmother and great grandmother in the whole world. She loved and cherished her family. Virginia was known to have the memory of an elephant and was a great story teller. She stayed very sharp all the way up to the end of her life. She will be greatly missed by her family.

 

On November 7, 1959, in Hamlet, Indiana, she married Byrum Bates, who preceded her in death.

 

Also preceding her in death were her parents; six siblings, Richard Lile, Edith Cunningham, Martha Wagner, James Lile, Leigh Lile, and Baby Virginia Lile; her two sons, Frank and Jeffery Lile; and one grandson, Garrick Holmquest.

 

Surviving are her six children, Connie Lile of La Porte, Patti (Bob) Young of LaCrosse, Lorie Smutzer, Paula (Bill) Stowe, Darla Bates, and LeeAnn (Norman) Daisy all of La Porte; one brother, William (Diane) Lile of Plymouth; one sister, Joyce Lile of Hamlet; 19 grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and daughter-in-law, Karen Lile of La Porte.

 

A funeral celebrating her life will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, May 5, 2022 at Lakeview Funeral Home & Crematory, 247 W. Johnson Rd., La Porte, (219) 362-3100 with Pastor Dwayne Smith officiating. Visitation and viewing will be held from 11 a.m. until time of service Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will follow the service at Tracy Cemetery, Hamlet.

 

Please send condolences to the family at www.LakeviewFHC.com.

 

Virginia contributed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on a monthly basis and the family wanted to continue that legacy through the memorial contributions they have chosen.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family and/or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 in memory of Virginia Norlene Bates.