Mavis Bates Smith

Mavis Melissa Bates Smith passed away peacefully on Friday, March 30 in Springdale, Arkansas at the age of 97.  Services will be at McClain-Hays Funeral Home in Philadelphia, Mississippi on April 12, 2018.  Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. with the funeral service following at 11:00 a.m.  Burial will be at Bethsaida Cemetery. Mavis was born in the Beat Line community in Neshoba County in Mississippi on March 7, 1921, to Nettie Carter and Daniel Matthew Bates. After high school , she moved to Philadelphia to work as a bookkeeper for A. Deweese Lumber Co. She had fond memories of good times shared with Tom and Pete Deweese.  Her keen math intellect served her well as she worked through the complicated systems of logging. She married Eldrew Smith on December 21, 1945, after he returned from World War II.  They made their homes in the delta around Clarksdale, Mississippi before moving to Prattville, Alabama in 1973.  Upon Drew's retirement,  they returned to Neshoba County where they enjoyed being close to family, renewing old friendships, and being members at First Baptist Union.  Following Drew's death in 1999, Mavis moved to Rogers, Arkansas to live near her two daughters.  Wherever Mavis lived, her goal was to make her home an orderly  place of love and comfort where people would be served delicious meals.  She was an accomplished seamstress. As a senior adult, she became involved in needlework and quilting, resulting in some beautiful creations for her children and grandchildren.  Throughout the years, Mavis was a faithful follower of Christ. She always enjoyed a good sermon that gave her points to ponder and discuss during the week. She was active in WMU and ladies' Bible studies. She taught children in Sunday School and helped with youth socials and church fellowships.  She enjoyed visiting  the homebound and church members in nursing homes. In Rogers, she made wonderful friends at  First Baptist Church Rogers, and at the Women's Shelter Thrift Store where she volunteered.  She left a legacy of faith and service for her family to follow. Mavis  was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years Eldrew Smith in 1999; her parents; one brother, Francis M. Bates; three sisters, Jane Breland, Dot Winstead, and Mildred Wolverton; two half-brothers, Dovie and Virgil Bates;  and three half-sisters Alvie Bates, Iris Sharp, and Lonie White. Mavis is survived by  two daughters, Doris Plitt and her husband Milton of Rogers, Arkansas, and  Dawn Booth and her husband Terry of Dayton, Nevada;  one sister, Lessie Williamson of Hattiesburg, Mississippi;  two brothers-in-law, Don Wolverton, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and Arlo Winstead of House, Mississippi; two sisters-in law, Marlene Lee and Janiece Cox, both of Louisiana; and numerous nieces and nephews. Mavis, affectionately called Nama and Miss Maybe, leaves two grandchildren,  Matt Plitt and his wife Kaby of Danville, California, and Laren Plitt Campbell and her husband Aaron of Denton, Texas;  a step-granddaughter, Julie Booth Ratner and her husband Joe of San Francisco.  She loved watching her great-grandchildren, Maddie, Reagan, Drew, Luke, Darby, and Clark; and her step-great grandchildren, Sarah (Z), Ellie, and Adinah grow up.  They all remember sweet times spent in her kitchen eating her delicious homemade chocolate chip cookies and sneaking orange slices she bought especially for their visits.  She gave the best hugs of welcome to each of them!   Faith and family were the heart of her life. Pallbearers will be Danny Breland, Randy Breland, Steve Breland, Tyler Coker, Daniel Winstead, Matthew Winstead.Honorary Pallbearers will be Scott Williamson and Taylor Coker. Memorials may be sent to:  First Baptist Church Building Fund,  3364 West Pleasant Grove Road, Rogers, Arkansas 72758, Bethsaida Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, or St. Jude.