Entered into eternal rest on the evening of October 26, 2011, Gwendolyn Zerbst Bates, widow of Brian D. Bates. Residence, Charleston, SC. The relatives and friends are invited to attend her memorial service Sunday, October 30, 2011 at J. HENRY STUHR, INC., WEST ASHLEY CHAPEL at 4 pm. The family will receive friends at Stuhr's West Ashley Chapel Sunday from 3 pm until time of service. Committal will be private at a later date at Holy Cross Cemetery.

Born on October 22, 1951 in Charleston, South Carolina, Gwen was the daughter of the late Wilton Robert Zerbst and late Jean Chambers Zerbst. She attended St. James Episcopal Church and was a retired Dental Assistant with the Medical University of South Carolina. Gwen was a member of the Cancer Survivor Group where she gave and received support for fighting lung cancer for the past five years.

Surviving is her daughter, Courtney Ruth Bates of North Charleston; a brother, Wilton Robert Zerbst, Jr. of Charleston, two sisters, Rhonda Zerbst Brooks of North Charleston and Debbie Zerbst Vealey of Charleston; three nieces, Aundrea Jean Vealey, Heather Marie Brooks, and Kristen Ashley Brooks; four nephews, Clinton David Vealey, Robert Dalton Vealey, Adam Harris Zerbst, and Parker Robert Zerbst.

The family would like to extend great appreciation to Hollings Cancer Center where Gwen received exceptional care and support from her wonderful doctors and their staff whom she loved very much.