Emily Atkins Bates

1929 - 2025

Emily Atkins Bates

Mar 29, 1929 - Aug 29, 2025

Emily Atkins Bates, of Burlington, NC, died peacefully at home on August 29, 2025. Born March 29, 1929, in Winston-Salem, NC, Emily was the daughter of Claire Alspaugh Atkins Smith and George Weyland Atkins and the sister of George Weyland "Buck" Atkins, Jr., all of whom preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her beloved husband of 60 years, Harold Bascom Bates.

Emily was a graduate of Reynolds High School in Winston-Salem, NC, and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, formerly Women's College of Greensboro. She taught primary education for six years in both Winston-Salem and Atlanta, leaving the public school system in 1957 to raise her children. A long-time member of First Presbyterian Church in Burlington, Emily taught first-grade Sunday School for many years.

As a part-time resident of Alleghany County for nearly 25 years, Emily loved spending many months of the year at her mountain home at High Meadows Country Club in Roaring Gap, NC. An avid golfer, Emily was a member of Alamance Country Club in Burlington, and she didn't pack up her clubs until the age of 87. She was active in the Ladies Golf Associations in both Burlington and Roaring Gap and enjoyed tournament play across the state. Emily also loved playing bridge throughout her life and was active in both social and duplicate bridge groups.

As a member of Burlington's Service League, Emily volunteered to perform in a number of theater productions for elementary schools across Alamance County, memorably playing the role of "Tangor the Terrible" among others. She was also active in the Alamance-Caswell Medical Auxiliary and their annual Antiques Fair fundraiser.

Emily was known and loved for her engaging, entertaining personality and her great storytelling abilities. She was quick to liven up a party and was a good friend to many. But most of all, Emily loved being with her family and especially enjoyed being a devoted grandmother. She was overjoyed to become a great-grandmother at the age of 94 and became a big fan of FaceTime.

Survivors include her daughter, Catherine Reading (Bill) of Roaring Gap, NC; her son, Harold Bates, Jr. (Patti) of Burlington, NC; and her four grandchildren, Caroline Williams (Dare) and Emily Jackson (Brett) of Nashville, TN, Elizabeth Bates of Asheville, NC and Robert Bates (Reghan) of Wake Forest, NC; along with her great-grandchildren, Catherine Williams, Claire Jackson and Grant Jackson, all of Nashville, TN.

A private graveside service will be held for the immediate family on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. Emily's family would like to thank all of the home care providers and Hospice staff members who gave her much comfort during her final months. Special recognition is given to Grace Rosenberg, who had a unique way of encouraging Emily to enjoy social opportunities and maintain special friendships. Memorials can be made to First Presbyterian Church at 508 W. Davis Street, Burlington, NC 27215, or Twin Lakes Retirement Village at 3701 Wade Coble Drive, Burlington, NC 27215.