Deidre Leek Bates

Deidre Leek Bates, 44, from Du Quoin and formerly of Coello, passed away June 25, 2008, at her residence.

Diedre was born April 1, 1964, in Benton, to Doris Leek and Charles Leek. She worked at Five Star Industries in Du Quoin and attended the Whittington Church. She married to Doug Bates, May 23, 1998, in Du Quoin.

Suriviors include her mother, Doris Leek; children, Madison Lynn Bates and Maggie Leigh Bates; husband's parents, John and Nancy Pestka, and Jim and Beth Bates of Du Quoin; suriving brothers and sisters, Shelley and Bob Moyers of Coello; sister-in-laws, Audrey and Phil Christians of Phoenix, Ariz., Andrea and Paul Adam of Fenton, Mo., and Sarah Bates of Phoenix, Ariz.; brother-in-law, Joel Atterberry of San Diego; nephew, Adam Moyers; niece, Hannah Christians; and several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father.

In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the educational fund for Children of Madison and Maggie Bates or St. Judes Children's Hospital, or Five Star Industries. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and church.

The funeral will be held Sunday, June 29, at 3 p.m. at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Mark Minor officiating.

Internment will be held at Harrison Cemetery in Buckner.

Visitation will be held Saturday, June 28, at Whittington Church from 5 p.m. till 8 p.m.

For more information, visit gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

"You never know when someone
might catch a dream from you.
You never know when a little word
or something that you might do,
may open up a window
of a mind that seeks the light.

The way you teach may not matter at all,
but you never know, it might.

And just in case it could be
that another's life through you
might change for the better
with a broader, brighter view.
It seems it might be worth a try
to do what you know is right.

The way you teach may not matter at all,
but you never know, it might."
