Deborah L. (Roquemore) Bates

Aztec
Deborah "Debbie" L. Bates May 6, 1944 - Sept. 22, 2015
Deborah "Debbie" L. Bates, our angel on earth passed away to begin her eternal life in Heaven, on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015. After a courageous battle with cancer she is now pain free and smiling down on us from above. Debbie was born on May 6, 1944, in Farmington, to J.D. and Eugenia Roquemore. She was a beautiful soul inside and out, a lady who seemed to be straight from the pages of the Bible. She led her life by example sharing her love with everyone along the way. With a heart as big as the world, she would give anything she had to someone who needed it and always found the beauty in everything she had. She was a very optimistic person and always recognized that any situation she was in could be worse and never complained. She always believed God would take care of everything; her faith never faltered. Even on her worst days a smile could still be found along with sweetness in her voice.
Debbie married her husband Sidney "Ray" Bates on Oct. 3, 1958, at the tender age of 14. The two of them began a family together and shared nearly 57 years with one another before her passing. Being a mom and a grandma was the single most important thing in life to her. She always told her kids "I never had much to give you, but I had love, and I tried to give you all that I could"- she was reassured that all of her family did indeed feel her love deep within. At the age of 14 many have said she was more of a woman than older women could ever dream of being. Her intelligence, drive, strength, beauty, determination and love for God set her apart from the rest of the world.
Debbie enjoyed singing with her husband at church and being a Sunday school teacher in their early years together. In addition to singing with her husband she enjoyed playing the accordion, piano and violin when there were get-togethers. She had fun playing forty-two and spending time with family. She absolutely loved plants and gardening. There was rarely a plant that she didn't know by name and people often asked her questions about gardening. She always dreamed of having a farm and milking cows. She often reflected on her childhood and how that was the way she was raised and spoke of her family growing their own vegetables, animals and such. She was creative and if asked would do her best to help you do anything she could. She helped her family with everything from crocheting blankets for the babies to making quilts, flower arrangements and even trying her hand at making a wedding cake... .nothing was beyond her will to try. She enjoyed cooking for the family during the holidays and particularly loved making the stuffing with her husband and baking her pretty pies. She loved sweet tea and was a master at making it. Everyone loved a glass of her tea.
Although she was a very smart woman she often joked about being an old "country hick" and had some language of her own that we all came to love and at times found ourselves saying or mocking her actions with our own kids. She would refer to a grouchy woman as an old heifer and if something was scary... .it scared the gizzard out of her! And if you almost fell she would say be careful or you will "bust your rackel fratchet!" She rarely had to say a word when her kids acted up because she could just flash her eyes and you knew to straighten up. She was not easily angered but to see that side of her all someone needed to do was mess with one of her kids or grandkids and a side rarely seen would quickly appear.
Debbie was a very intelligent woman and would do whatever she needed to in order to take care of her family. Despite the fact that she had just an 8th grade education her intelligence far exceeded what the grade level expressed. There was rarely a time you would ask her a question that she wouldn't have an educated answer for or at a minimum the ability to find out. She was willing to work hard to achieve what she could, working both as a homemaker and outside the home most of her life. Holding various odd jobs in her younger years her career was in radio dispatching. After working many years for answering services she was most appreciative for the opportunity to work at Meridian Oil. One of her most prideful and joyful accomplishments, she loved the work she did there. After leaving that job she was able to stay home and care for her grandchildren.
Debbie was preceded in death by her parents; brother, DeRoyce Roquemore; infant daughter, Barbara Lynn; and infant grandson, Wade Randall Moore Jr. She is survived by her husband, Sidney "Ray" Bates; son, Jimmy Bates; daughters, Darla Cantrell, Linda Owen, Trish Moore and Charlotte Parker; brothers, Bill "Roger" Roquemore (Mary), and Donald Roquemore (Valerie); numerous grandkids, great grandkids, nieces, nephews; and many others whom she loved dearly.
Special thanks to Northwest New Mexico Hospice Staff, Betty, Verna and Don. Dr. Girard, Dr. Schaffer, Dr. Sprung, Dr. Redwing and all the wonderful nurses and volunteers for your love, care and support.
Services for Debbie will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 28, at Alternative Choice Funeral Chapel. Interment will follow in Memory Gardens, 6917 E. Main St. in Farmington.
One of her favorite poems to share when someone lost a loved one is shared today as we remember her.

WHEN TOMORROW STARTS WITHOUT ME
When tomorrow starts without me
And I'm not here to see
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me

I wish you wouldn't cry
The Way you did today
While thinking of the many things
We did not get to say

I know how much you love me
As much as I love you
Each time that you think of me
I know you will miss me too

When tomorrow starts with out me
Please try to understand
That an angel came and called my name
And took me by the hand

The angel said my place was ready
In heaven far above
And That I would have to leave behind
All those I Dearly Love

But When I walked through Heaven's Gates
I felt so much at home
When GOD looked down and smiled at me
From his golden throne

He said This Is Eternity
And All I promised you
Today for life on earth is done
But Here it starts a new

I promise no tomorrow
For today will always last
And Since each day's the exact same way
There is no longing for the past

So When Tomorrow starts without me
Do not think we're apart
For every time you think of me
Remember I'm right here in your heart
-by David M. Romano

Debbie's care is entrusted to Alternative Choice Burial and Cremation, 804 N. Dustin Ave. in Farmington, 505-325-9611. Those who wish to express their condolences may do so at www.serenityandcompany.com http://www.serenityandcompany.com.