Dorothy Mae Bates

Sunrise: July 9, 1925 - Sunset: October 9, 2025

Dorothy Mae (Clark) Bates was born on July 9, 1925, at Cooper Hospital in Camden, New Jersey, to the late Armstead Clark Sr. and the late Bertha Jones.

She was the eldest of three children, preceded in death by her younger siblings, Vivian Ingalls and Armstead Clark Jr. She attended the Woodbury School System, where she laid eyes on the love of her life and declared, "I'm going to marry him." And true to her word, she did. On December 31, 1940, she married the late William Bates Sr. in Elkton, Maryland. Their union was blessed with six children: the late William Bates, the late Bertha Taylor, the late Dan Bates, and her three surviving daughters, Brenda Thomas of Deptford, Joan Clinton of Westville, and Marsha Bates of Camden.

Early in her marriage, Dorothy was part of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) movement following the Great Depression. She shared at her 100th birthday that it was one of her proudest accomplishments, as it marked the time the federal government paid women for their skills alongside men.

Dorothy was a working woman and proud of it, dedicating 25 years to the Woodbury Courthouse. But she also loved to celebrate life, often doing so with her Aunt Grace at the Elks Lodge. Together, they were known for their exquisite beauty and style, affectionately called The Belles of Jericho. Her favorite pastime was fishing, first with her husband and later with her grandson, Brucey.

She was a socialite at heart with steel for a backbone, a woman who survived the Great Depression, six major wars, personal health trials, and even a global pandemic. Still, she gathered anyone who was weary into her home for a meal, laughter, and a place to find peace. She cared for many, lending whatever she had to those who needed it.

Her ability to find joy in hard places was the song of her life. She loved playing pinochle with her siblings and childhood friends. She loved spending weekends at yard sales and flea markets with her children. And she loved God and learning about Him.

Her life's testimony is that whatever was placed in her hands, she made it grow.

With long life, she was favored by God, and in joy, we celebrate her journey to meet her Maker.

She is survived by 20 grandchildren, along with many great- and great-great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins, and a host of other family and friends.