Wilbert Bates, Sr.

Wilbert Bates Sr. was born on February 19, 1948, to his parents, Esther Ruth Bates and Wilbert Marks, Sr. in Beaumont, Texas. Wilbert had one brother. He really loved people, and after the loss of his only brother at such a young age, he developed a strong love for family. Wilbert was a happy child, fun loving energetic and sometimes quiet as well. He attended Pipken Elementary School in Beaumont, Texas before moving to Corpus Christi, Texas to live with his Uncle Preston & Aunt Lillian Johnson. While in Corpus Christi, Wilbert attended Booker T. Washington Middle School, and in 1967, he graduated from Solomon Melvin Cole Jr. / Sr. High School. Following High School, Wilbert attended Durham College in Oshawa, Ontario. Wilbert met Liz M. Stevenson at the St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church. It was love at first sight. He knew that he was going to marry Liz, and in 1973, the two were married. Since he grew up as an only child, Wilbert used to always say he wanted to have 12 kids, but he only ended up with five children. He worked for 15 years at Memorial Hospital as a Security Guard, and later became the Director of Security. He also worked with the Corpus Christi Sheriff's Department under then Sheriff Solomon Ortiz, now a United Stated Senator. In Denver, Wilbert worked at Stanley Smith Security as a Security Guard, and was also employed as an Orderly at Briarwood Manor Care Health Care facilities. Wilbert was no stranger to work, and his co-workers would say he was dedicated to excellence. His passion and love for people brought him to know Christ at an early age. He joined St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church, in Corpus Christi, Texas, where he served as an usher, sang in the church choir, and attended Bible and prayer meetings weekly. Upon leaving Corpus Christi and moving to Denver Colorado in 1989, Wilbert continued his service with the Lord. He visited a few churches until his heart landed, and he joined New Hope Baptist Church in 1997. He continued strong attending prayer meetings, Bible classes, and Sunday school; he also sang in the choir until his health began to decline. He was unable to attend as often as he wanted. Wilbert enjoyed cooking, watching lots of sports, and the classics on ESPN. He especially loved to sit in his favorite chair and watch Family Feud and all of the western shows; he called them his "shoot'em ups." Above all, he really loved and cherished the time he spent with his family, children, and grandchildren. The love he shared was priceless. Wilbert was preceded in death by his daughter, Paula Marie Jones; his parents, Ester Ruth Bates and Wilbert Marks Sr.; his brother; his granddaughter, Neecie Renee Anderson; his grandsons, Devante Evans Bates, Canaan DeShawn Bates; and his uncle, Preston Johnson. On July 10, 2016, Wilbert Bates, Sr. departed this life to eternity from Aurora, Colorado. He leaves to cherish his memories his wife, Liz Stevenson-Bates, three sons, one daughter; 12 grandchildren; the New Hope Church family, and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousin, other relative, and many friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremation - 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, Colorado
Visitation: 7/21/2016 at 4:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Visitation: 7/22/2016 at 9:00 AM - New Hope Baptist Church - 3701 Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO
Service: 7/22/2016 at 10:00 AM - New Hope Baptist Church - 3701 Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO
Cemetery: 7/22/2016 - Following the service St. Simeon Cemetery - 22001 Colorado 30 Aurora, CO