AIKEN, S.C. – Born in Edgefield, South Carolina on September 15, 1923, Gladys Chapman Bates passed away at her home on April 26, 2015 after an extended illness. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. William B. Bates, Jr., and her parents, Joe and Margaret Chapman, three brothers, Joe, James, and John Chapman, and two sisters, Margaret Collins and Zettie Culbreath. After graduating from the Barrett School of Nursing, Augusta, Georgia, she married Dr. William Bates Jr., on June 12, 1945. Dr. and Mrs. Bates made their home in Waycross, Georgia, for more than 50 years where she was a homemaker and helped her husband in his family medicine practice. After her husband’s death in 2003, Mrs. Bates moved to Aiken to be near her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her son, William B. Bates III, M.D., daughter-in-law Rhonda Bates, and their three children Avery, Elaina, and William Bates IV. She is also survived by her daughter Catherine Harte, her son-in-law Robert Harte, and their two sons, Wilder and Madison. A graveside service will be held at Sunset Gardens Memorial Park in Johnston, South Carolina on Tuesday, April 28 at 11 AM. The family will receive friends following the service at 2 Tupelo Ct., Aiken, South Carolina. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Medical College of Georgia School of Nursing. Shellhouse Funeral Home, 924 Hayne Ave., Aiken, SC Gladys’ online guest book may be signed by visiting www.shellhousefuneralhome.com