Esther Mae Bates

Published 3:23 pm Thursday, November 2, 2017

Esther Mae Bates, 81, of Port Arthur, Texas passed away Thursday, October 26, 2017 at Senior Rehabilitation Nursing Center.  A native of Cheneyville, Louisiana, she was a resident of Port Arthur for over 60 years.  Esther was a longtime faithful member of Eastern Star Missionary Baptist Church, where she served on the usher board.  She was also a member of the Port Arthur City-wide ushers.  Esther was a longtime employee at Blanton Laundry and later became a private duty sitter.

She is preceded in death by her beloved son, Thomas Griffin, Jr. and eleven siblings.  She leaves to cherish precious memories her daughter Lee Esther Levine; three grandchildren, Nichole Griffin, Godfrey R. Charles II, and Geoffrey T. Charles; four great-grandchildren; one brother, Arthur Deal of Riverside, CA; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, November 4, 2017 at Eastern Star Missionary Baptist Church with visitation from 9 a.m. until service time.  Burial will follow in Live Oak Cemetery under the direction of Gabriel Funeral Home.