Sondra L. Bates

Cortland – Sondra L. Bates, 84, passed away Friday evening at Summa Medical in Akron, OH. Sondra was born on March 7, 1941 in Uniontown, PA, a daughter of the late Blair R. Sherwood and Clara Sherwood Fitzsimmons. She attended Johnston High School, where she met the love of her life, James H. Bates. She worked at Giant Eagle until she retired. Sondra was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Her greatest joy in life was being with her family. She also loved meeting new people and considered everyone she met family. She also enjoyed going shopping. She will be deeply missed by her loving husband of 68 years, James H. Bates, whom she married on April 30, 1957; children, Gail Bates, Chris Hill and her significant other Randy Schreckengost, Jodirae (Gary) Cotterman, and James (Stacy) Bates; grandchildren, Dalton (Marissa) Brown, Dylan (Vanessa) Brown, Dawson Brown and his fiancé Kaitlin, Landon Bates, Carter Bates, and Chelsey Hill; great-grandchildren, Jayden Hill, Dino and Charlie Myers, and Daisy Mae Brown; step-brother, Blair (Emily) Sherwood, and step-sister Arlene (Tony) Pratt. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Linda Jones; and brother-in-law, Ronald K. "Ron" Jones. Per Sondra's wishes, there are no calling hours or services. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Arrangements were entrusted with Lane Funeral Homes- Shafer Winans Chapel in Cortland. Memorial contributions can be made to the Breast Cancer Society in her memory. Family and friends may send their heartfelt condolences by visiting www.lanefuneralhomes.com