Etta Giddens Bates, long-time resident of Albany, died Nov. 9, just short of her 100th birthday. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James M. Giddens, she was born in Arlington and was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Lt. Col. William H. Bates Sr. (1998) of Covington and sister Catheryn Giddens (1957). Mrs. Bates received her bachelor's degree from Valdosta State College, master's degree from Oglethorpe University and specialist degree in reading from the University of Georgia. She taught in school systems in Guam and Germany and several systems in Georgia including Dougherty County where she was also the County Reading Supervisor. She was a charter member and past president of the Albany Area Council of the International Reading Association and a member of the Phi Kappa Honor Society at the University of Georgia. She received a Certificate of Honor from Delta Kappa Gamma Society and was a member of the Kappa Delta Phi Education Society. Mrs. Bates was recognized in the Personalities of the South publication for her contributions to education. She was also recognized in the Cambridge England publication of International Who's Who of Intellectuals. She served as president of the Dougherty County Teacher's Association and as president of Delta Kappa Gamma XI Chapter. She was recently honored by the Georgia Retired Education Association as one of nine Emeritus Members from Dougherty County. After retiring from the Dougherty County School system, she and her grandson owned and operated Antiques Plus for over 10 years. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Albany.
Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law Dr. and Mrs. William H. Bates Jr. of Albany; her grandson William H. Bates III of Charleston, S.C., and her granddaughter Bronwyn G. Bates of New York City.
A graveside service was held Nov. 11 at Crown Hill Cemetery with Dr. William E. (Butch) Knight officiating. A memorial donation can be made to Upward Bound Basketball program at the First Baptist Church of Albany, 145 Oakland Parkway, Leesburg, Ga., or the Albany Audubon Society, P.O. Box 705, Albany, Ga. 31702. Guests may sign the online guest book at www.kimbrellstern.com.
