Helen Louise Cates

Helen Cates, the daughter of the late Joseph and Bessie Fort Benes, was born in Houston, Texas on December 12, 1925, and passed away at the St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri on August 16, 2006, at the age of 80 years, 8 months and 4 days. Mrs. Cates had lived in the Dudley, Missouri area since 1951. She was a charter member of the Dudley Baptist Church, a leader with the Wilkerson 4-H Club, and was a member of the National Audubon Society. She and her husband started the Cates Orchard near Dudley in 1953. She loved flowers and growing things and dearly loved her grandchildren. On November 5, 1943, she was married to George Cates in Pearland, Texas. Surviving are her husband, George Cates of Dudley, Missouri; one son, Ronnie Cates of Dudley, Missouri; three daughters, Patti Kinnaman of Bloomfield, Missouri, Bessie McRoy and Janet Johns both of Dudley, Missouri; five grandchildren, David Kinnaman, Jerry and Brigitte Kinnaman, Jennifer Johns, Caleb Johns and Emily Johns; one brother, John Benes of Baytown, Texas. Other friends and relatives also survive. She was preceded in death by one son, Timothy Cates, four sisters and one brother. Friends may call on Sunday, August 20, 2006, from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri. Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 21, 2006, at 10:00 A.M. at the Watkins & Sons Chapel in Dexter, Missouri with the Rev. Bill Webster of Poplar Bluff, Missouri and Rev. John McFarlen of Myrtle, Missouri officiating. Interment will be in the Missouri Veteran's Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri with Watkins and Sons Funeral Home of Dexter, Missouri in charge of arrangements.