Sharon Lee (Harrington) Bates

 Beloved Matriarch, Sharon Lee (Harrington) Bates, age 78, of North Branch passed away on January 28, 2022 surrounded by her family. Sharon was born in Flint, MI, April 25, 1942,  the daughter of Richard and Mildred (Williams) Harrington. Sharon grew up in Flint, MI and graduated from Kearsley High School in 1961.

Sharon married James Everett Bates on March 13, 1961 and they enjoyed 60 years of marriage until his death, January 17, 2022.  Sharon was a foster parent for over 20 years and enjoyed reading. She loved to be outside working in the garden.  She had a passion for knitting and would knit daily.  Her knitted items were a favorite at local craft sales.  Sharon loved her yearly trips to Mackinaw Island with her family.  She walked or biked everyday (weather permitting),  and she would bike to her daughters every morning to help with homeschooling her granddaughters. She was famous for her family’s favorite No Bake Cookies.

Sharon is survived by her children, Kimberly (Frank) Wheaton of North Branch, Joel Lee Bates of Los Angeles, California and Pamela (Ben) Bates of Mayville as well as 14 grandchildren and 21 great-grandkids and her sister, Annie (Tom) Martin of Clio, MI. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Bates (Jan.17, 2022) and her son, James Bates Jr. (2018), her 5 brothers and 3 sisters.

Visitation for Sharon will be on Sunday, February 6, 2022, 1:00 P.M.-6:00 P.M., at Blackburn Chapel-Martin Funeral Home. On Monday, February 7, 2022, visitation will be 10:00 A.M.-11:00 A.M. with funeral service at 11:00 A.M. at Blackburn Chapel-Martin Funeral Home. Pastor Robert Lott will officiate. Sharon will be laid to rest next to her husband at Westlawn Cemetery.

You may share an online condolence to the family at www.blackburnchapel.com

Arrangements by Blackburn Chapel-Martin Funeral Home

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