Queen Esther Bates

Mrs. Queen Esther Hair Bates was born in Newberry County on November 2, 1942, and departed this earthly world on May 21, 2025, at the age of 82. She was the middle child born to the late Mr. Ambrose Hair and the late Mrs. Fennie Verta Mae Dewalt Hair. She was the granddaughter of the late Mr. Johnny Hair and the late Mrs. Ida Dominick Hair and the late Mr. David Dewalt and the late Triphina Long Dewalt.
Mrs. Bates accepted Christ at an early age and joined Mt. Moriah African Methodist Episcopal Church where she faithfully served as a Class Leader, an Usher, a Steward, and Women's Missionary Society (Secretary). In addition, she was a member of the Mt. Moriah Chorus, the Stewardess Board and the Women's Home Aid Society #23. She was educated in the Newberry County School District and graduated from Gallman High School.
Mrs. Bates exemplified a Godly woman whose faith guided her through life and its challenges. She possessed many talents but most enduring of all was her God-given gift of love and joy she shared with all she encountered. She was known far and wide for her baking, cooking, and sewing skills and her willingness to share them with others. She selflessly used her time, resources, gifts, and talents to demonstrate her love and commitment to the Lord.
Mrs. Bates was an employee for decades of American Fiber and Finish prior to her retirement.
She was predeceased by a husband, Cleophus Bates; a brother, Henry Lee Hair; and a sister, Mae Emma Hair.
Mrs. Bates lived a life of love, faith, joy, and strength until the end. She is loved, respected, and admired by her family. Her physical presence will be deeply missed; but, our love for her will remain in our hearts.
Those left to celebrate her life and cherish her memories are one daughter, Mrs. Angela (Samuel) Heller of Irmo, SC; two grandsons, Mr. Cameron C. Heller of Irmo, SC and Mr. Justin C. Heller of Irmo, SC; two great-granddaughters, Little Miss Mariah A. Heller of Columbia, SC and Little Miss Jaylah R. Jamison of Irmo, SC; two sisters, Ms. Daisy M. Langford of Newberry, SC and Ms. Christine Curry of Columbia, SC; one godbrother, Mr. Macky (Barbara) Wheeler of Prosperity, SC; four aunts Ms. Martha Jean Ruff of Highpoint, NC; Ms. Polly Hampton and Ms. Avie D. Davenport of Columbia, SC and Ms. Evelyn D. Brooks of Prosperity, SC; four uncles, Mr. Freddie Lee Bowers of Washington, DC, Mr. James (Vivian) Hair, Sr., Mr. Willie Matthew Dewalt and Mr. Aaron (Janice) Dewalt of Prosperity, SC; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held On Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Mt. Moriah AME Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Public viewing will be from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Fred B. Pratt Memorial Chapel on Friday, May 30, 2025..