Funeral Services for Betty Ann Bates, Age 85 of Licking, Missouri will be held on Friday, October 23rd, 2026 at The Fox Funeral Home Chapel, Licking, Missouri, beginning at 12-Noon. Visitation will precede the service, beginning at 10:00 AM. Burial will take place in The Boone Creek Cemetery, Licking, Missouri.
Betty Ann (Skaggs) Bates was born on March 5, 1941 in Cherryvale, KS, the fourth
out of five children to Bert & Lucille (Carson) Skaggs. She passed away peacefully
on October 19, 2026 surrounded by her loving family and finally was reunited
with the love of her life, Jack.
As a baby the family moved from Cherryvale, KS to Plymouth, MI to join other
family members. They lived there until she was 4 years old and then moved to
Kinderpost, MO on the Big Piney River for her father’s health. They lived there for
about 6-7 years and then moved to a farm in Plato. Betty would get up early
every morning to milk the cows before school and when she married Jack, she
made him promise her she would never have to milk another cow again! And he
kept his promise to her.
Betty graduated from Plato High School in May 1959 and two days later married
the love of her life, Jackie “Jack” Dene Bates. They were married for over 51 years
before his passing. To this union 2 children were born, Jacqueline Ann and
Howard Dene and two angel babies.
After Jack was discharged from the Army, they moved to Excelsior Springs, MO.
They lived there for about 6 years before moving back to Licking. She worked at
Rawlings Sporting Goods sewing uniforms, she was a homemaker, Boy Scout
Leader, and active in her children’s activities running them wherever they needed
to be.
In 1981 they moved to Enid, OK for better jobs. They lived there for 5 years
before moving back to Licking to take care of and raise their 2 nieces, Lori &
Cynthia Floyd, who were like daughters to them.
She was baptized at an early age and was an active member until her health failed
at Licking UMC.
Her and Jack loved to travel and went on several trips out west and to Canada.
Betty will be remembered for her various hobbies of sewing clothes & making
quilts for her family and friends and those in need. She loved to garden and make
salsa, loved to read, float the Big Piney River with Jack, do word search puzzles,
embroidery, being outdoors and taking NUMEROUS photo’s. If someone needed
anything she was there to help in any way she could.
Betty always told everyone she had another brother, Ricky Skaggs, but they knew
she was pulling their leg by the twinkle in her eyes. But her real claim to fame
was that she was related to Christopher “Kit” Carson.
She is survived by her daughter, Jackie (Gary) Duncan, of Licking, MO, son,
Howard (Amy) Bates of Amarillo TX, nieces Lori (Grant) Heithold of Licking, MO
and Cynthia Floyd of Rolla, MO.
Her grandchildren: Amanda (Matt) Honigsberg, Brock (Natasha) Riden, Betsy
(Adam) Corkell and Blake (Mackenzie) Heithold of Licking, MO. Camerin (Jake)
Fester, Karsin Heithold of Rolla, MO and Johnathan Bates of Amarillo, TX.
Great grandchildren: Hunter (Aanika) Honigsberg, Lanie Honigsberg, Sawyer
Heithold, Erinn Heithold, Myles Willard, Marley Willard, Parker Huff, Penelope
Huff, Jett Fester, Braxton Corkell, Nova Corkell, Serena Riden, Blake Masters,
Summer Heithold, Margo Heithold and Jack Heithold. Sister Alma (Skaggs)
Mooney, and brother Delbert (Jenny) Skaggs, sister-in-law’s Lila Skaggs, and Nikki
Skaggs, brother-in-law Dale (Veronika) Gooding along with a host of nieces,
nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband Jack, her parents Bert & Lucille
(Carson) Skaggs and older brothers Raymond Skaggs and Jim Skaggs.
She will be greatly missed by her loved ones and friends.
