LUCILLE N. CATES

CATES, LUCILLE N., 80
Sparr - Lucille N. Cates, age 80, of Sparr, FL passed away after a long battle with liver cancer on April 30, 2016 at her home in Sparr. She was born in Winter Haven, Florida on August 28, 1935 to parents Eugene and Pearl (Register) Newsome. She and her family moved to Ocala, Florida when she was three months old.
She is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Pauline Gibboney; brothers, E. J. Newsome, Carl E. Newsome, Everett C. Newsome and John R. (Bobby) Newsome.
She graduated from Ocala High School in the class of 1953. Years later, she was one of the founders of the Ocala High School Alumni Foundation, Inc. and served as a trustee. She was a bookkeeper at Dixie Lime Company in Ocala until her marriage to E. W. Cates, Jr. of Sparr on March 25, 1955. She was an active farm wife in the activities of farming until she developed cancer in 2006.
Lucille is survived by her husband, E.W., of 61 years; son, Gregory W. Cates of Lafayette, LA; daughter, Tracy L. Cruz (husband, Phill) of Jensen Beach, FL; three grandchildren, Lauren C. Friend (husband Cheyne), Stephen Cruz and Kaitlyn Cruz, all who so lovingly called her 'Batay'; nephew, Ashley E. Newsome (wife, Teresa) of Silver Springs, FL. She was an adoring aunt to many other nieces and nephews who live both in and out of town.
Her greatest joys in life was being a daughter, sister, wife, mother, Batay, Aunt, and all the friends she made, especially her 1953 high school classmates, during her life.
Lucy, as some would call her, was a compassionate and caring person who always had a smile for everyone even amidst her own trials. She tried to make the day good for all she came in contact with and gave a hand up for those that were less fortunate than she.
Hiers-Baxley will be in charge of the funeral arrangements. A visitation to be held on Friday, May 6, 2016 from 5:30 to 7 PM at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, 910 SE Silver Springs Blvd. Private graveside service on Saturday May 7, 2016. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Hospice of Marion County, Inc. PO BOX 4860, Ocala, FL 34478-4860. Expressions of Sympathy can be expressed at
hiers-baxley.com.