Mary Emelene Ratliff Bates, 91, of Charleston, SC, widow of Phillip Wardlaw Bates, Sr., entered into eternal rest Sunday, August 21, 2016. Her funeral service will be held Wednesday, August 24, 2016, in J. HENRY STUHR, INC., DOWNTOWN CHAPEL, 232 Calhoun Street, at 10:00 a.m. Interment, Carolina Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. in Stuhr's Downtown Chapel.

Mary was born May 6, 1925 in Pike County, Kentucky, daughter of the late Wick Ratliff and Eura Caroline Belcher Ratliff. She was a member of Crossroads Community Church.

She is survived by five sons: Phillip Bates, Jr. (Faye), Richard Bates (Carol), Larry Bates (Mary Ann), Steven Bates (Pam), and Terry Bates (Lisa); six grandchildren and two great-grandsons.