Clara "Diane" (Freeman) Bates

Clara Diane Bates, 67, passed away on Sunday, May 5th, 2024, surrounded by the love of her family.  Diane was born on April 30th, 1957, in St. Louis, Missouri to Edward Joseph (Sarge) and Evelyn Nadean Freeman.  A proud graduate of Malden High School and Three Rivers College, she was active in the business community as an owner and member of many boards and committees before her “semi-retirement”, working for the Butler County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for the last several years.  On June 3rd, 1984, Diane married Lyndal Edward (Stag) Bates in Poplar Bluff, MO.

Diane was a born extravert, and she came by the Gift of Gab naturally, inherited from her father, Sarge.   Despite living in Poplar Bluff most of her adult life, her childhood growing up in Malden never left her heart.  She was a proud “flatlander” and absolutely cherished her lifelong friendships and family that shared those common roots.  Diane had a genuine love for people of all walks of life and her infectious smile and energy connected with all who crossed her path.  Truly a friend to all, nothing pleased her more than a familiar face and the chance to catch up and proudly introduce her husband, sons, and grandkids to old friends and family….again….  Most of all, Diane loved life and loved a good time!  A naturally born prankster and antagonist (Again…Sarge, Jr.), she was going to instigate some form of shenanigans or mischief every single day, so you had a choice:  Join as a co-conspirator or risk being the victim!  She loved to laugh and loved those who loved to laugh with her.  Along with all the jokes and pranks, the lasting gift many will remember the most is her love of music.  To all who knew her, her passion for music burned the brightest.  She spent every day of her life filling her soul with music and the overflow spilled out and touched every person she met.  Almost every person reading these words today has a story of an artist or a song that they love because of Diane Bates.

Diane is survived by her husband, Stag; two sons, Chance (Trisha) Whitehead and Lance (Mandy) Bates all of Poplar Bluff; five grandchildren, MaKayla and Natalie Whitehead and Liam, Isaac, and Nora Bates; Sisters-in-law, Regina Gayle Freeman and Donna New; many nieces and nephews, and her band of misfits, the Loaded Goats.

She was preceded in death by her beloved family, mother and father, Sarge and Nadean Freeman; one sister, Connie Jo Freeman Boehme; and one brother, Gary Edward Freeman.

A Celebration of Life will be at 3:00 pm on Saturday, May 11th, at Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral and Cremation Services in Poplar Bluff, MO.  Memorial services will follow with Pastor David Thomas officiating.