Edna Dean Wilridge Bates

Crowley, LA ----- A Mass of Christian Burial for Edna Dean Wilridge Bates, 71, will be held on Tuesday, October 19, 2021, at 10:00 AM at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 417 W. 3rd Street, Crowley, LA. Pastor Mark Odoguje will be the celebrant. She will be laid to rest in the South Crowley Cemetery.

Edna was born on Saturday, April 22, 1950 to the union of the late Raymond Wilridge, Sr. and Mary Lyons Wilridge in Crowley, LA, where she has been a lifelong resident. She attended school in Acadia Parish and was a graduate of Ross High School, Class of 1963.  She also went on to attend the University of Southwestern Louisiana (USL).

Edna met the love of her life, Wilbert Bates, whom she married in 1971 and they enjoyed fifty years together. Not only was she a devoted wife but Edna also worked as a salesclerk in the retail clothing business for many years. Some of her greatest past time favorites was watching the Young and the Restless, the LSU Tigers football and Drew Brees & the New Orleans Saints games.

Edna was baptized at Israelite Baptist Church by the late Pastor Grady Plowden, Sr. She later united with St. Theresa Catholic Church where she attended faithfully and served in several capacities.

Edna peacefully transitioned to eternal rest on Friday, October 8, 2021 in Lafayette, LA following a brief illness.

In addition to her parents, Edna is proceeded in death by three brothers, Raymond Wilridge, Jr., Rev. Jean Nickson, and Henry Wilridge; a niece, Abigail Nickson; a nephew/godchild, Radford Bell, and her father-in-law & mother-in-law; Murphy and Lillian Bates.

Edna leaves to celebrate her life and cherish many precious memories with; her husband, Wilbert Bates of Crowley, LA; a considered daughter, Quintrisha (Yusef, Sr.) Carpenter and considered grandson, Yusef, Jr., all of Atlanta, GA;  three siblings, Betty Simpson of Van Buren, AR, Rose Augustus of Virginia Beach, VA and James (Cletus) Wilridge of Roland, OK; two special nephews, Brian Simpson of Carencro, LA and Vernon Simpson of Ft. Smith, AR; three sisters-in-law, Rosita (David) Bennet and Rita Bates of Crowley, LA and Debbie Wilridge of Katy, TX, two brothers-in-law, Raymond Bates of Crowley, LA and Michael (Analisa) Bates of Gretna, LA; her three closest friends, Gail Coleman, Shirley Frank and Mildred Fairman; other survivors include nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who loved her dearly.

View the obituary and sign the guest book online at www.carneyfuneralhome.net

Professional services entrusted Carney Funeral Home, 602 North Pierce Street, Lafayette, LA, (337) 235-9789, is in charge of arrangements.