Cynthia Anne Oates

Hagerstown, MD – Cynthia Anne Oates, 84, of Hagerstown, MD passed away on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at ALIVE at Ridge Rd. Assisted Living in Mt. Airy, MD.

She was born on October 21, 1940, in Clarksburg, WV to the late John Baptiste Jr. and Norma Marie (Hessom) Molle.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Robert Oates, Sr. on January 21, 2016.

Cynthia was a 1958 graduate of Roosevelt Wilson High School in Clarksburg, WV and received her bachelor's degree in journalism from West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV.

She was employed with Communications Initiatives until her retirement. She was previously employed by CSX Railroad in Baltimore, MD as a speech writer and also was previously employed by PENELEC (Pennsylvania Electric Co.) as a speech writer in Johnstown, PA. She also worked on the CLUE I and CLUE II projects with Johns Hopkins University in Hagerstown, MD and was a reporter with the Herald-Mail. Co. in Hagerstown, MD.

She was a member of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church Williamsport, MD.

Cynthia was a member of Tri Delta Sorority.

She was an avid reader.

She is survived by her son William Robert Oates, Jr. of Hagerstown, MD; grandsons William R. Oates, III and Mason E. Oates; sister Janet A. Morse of Taveras, FL.

Besides her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her daughter-in-law Stacey Marie Oates, sister Barbara Y. Roberts, and brother John W. Molle.

A memorial service will be held at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church Williamsport, MD on Friday, October 17, 2025, at 11:00 am with Rev. Mark A. Sandell officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: St. Andrew Presbyterian Church 10813 Donelson Dr. Williamsport, MD 21795

Online condolences may be made to the family at: www.osbornefuneralhome.net