Janie Bates

1952 - 2026

Mar 8, 2026

Janie Bates transitioned to Heaven on March 8, 2026 after an 11 year battle with cancer. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. on Friday, March 13 at the Victory Life Church. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. with Sean Vanderveer and Jarrad Abshire officiating.

Janie was born in Blue, OK in 1952 to Arte M. Gray and Lois Sims Gray. She graduated from Durant High School in 1970 and from Southeastern College in 1973. Janie met Michael Bates at First Assembly of God in Durant, and they married in October of 1970 and moved to Texas. He said she raised the IQ of both states! But, she would be quick to tell you that she's been a Texan longer than an Okie!

After getting married, Janie and Mike opened and operated an American Handicraft store in Dallas in 1973, and then took over the Sherman location at the Sher-Den Mall in 1974. In 1977, Janie went to work for Texoma Regional Planning Commission, later known as TCOG.

In 1996, Janie helped form the Texoma Workforce Development Board and became the Executive Director. She finished her career there with 49 yrs in workforce. Janie wanted everyone to have a career, and for the underprivileged in the community to improve their life situation through education and a good job. Over the years, Janie wrote dozens of grants that brought millions of dollars to the Texoma area to promote career and education services.

Janie was also well known in the community for her volunteer service. She spent many years as a volunteer and board member of the Sherman Band Boosters, United Way of Grayson County, Sherman Boys and Girls Club, Fannin County Literacy Council, Fannin County Enterprise Facilitation Project, Texoma Family Shelter, Sherman Main Street Advisory Board, Sherman Chamber of Commerce, Sherman Economic Development Corporation, Sherman Housing Authority, Denison ISD CTE Advisory Committee, and served as Chair of Workforce Executive Directors Council. Janie was a charter member of High Noon Toast Masters Club, earning a distinguished toastmaster designation. She was awarded the Athena Award and the National Medallion Award from Boys and Girls Club of America for her exceptional service in 2000. Janie was a longtime volunteer for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Grayson County and was recognized as Volunteer of the Year in 2001. In 2011, Janie was recognized as the Texoma Council of Governments Regional Citizen of the Year.

Though Janie lived out a successful career, she was first a devoted wife to Mike and mother of two daughters, Arie Bates Vanderveer and Amie Bates Abshire. She considered her two sons-in-law, Sean Vanderveer and Jarrad Abshire, as her own sons. Janie was "Gigi" to 5 amazing grandkids Lizzy, Owen, Neal, Grant & Jocelyn.

In her spare time, Janie was an avid baker, crafter and entertainer. Her family, friends and staff enjoyed being treated often to her delicious desserts, and her gift of hospitality was a blessing to all who visited their home. In 2020, she and Mike turned their crafting hobby into another retail venture and opened 118 Gallery and Gifts in Downtown Sherman. She and Mike enjoyed visiting with customers and providing beautiful flower arrangements, wreaths and local art to their community.

Janie will be greatly missed, but the mark she made on her family, friends and community will last forever. In honor of her life and legacy, a scholarship fund in her memory has been created. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the scholarship fund to further career and technical education opportunities in Texoma. Donations can be made via the following link:

https://www.workforcesolutionstexoma.com/janie-bates-scholarship/

The online register book can be signed at waldofuneralhome.com.