Dana Smith Hurst Bates, 87, of Bridgeport, formerly of Morgantown, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sept. 23, 2020. She was born Sept. 19, 1933, in Spartanburg, S.C., daughter of the late C. Conrad Hurst and Gertrude “Trudy” McMahan Hurst.
Dana is survived by her two daughters, Trudy Bates Doolittle, spouse of Don Doolittle, of Lancaster, Pa., and Holly Bates Morris, spouse of Steve Morris, of Bridgeport; grandchildren Zachary Henry, of Morgantown, Megan Doolittle Teramura, spouse of Zachary Teramura, of Forest, Va., and Joey Doolittle, of Lancaster, Pa.; step-grandchildren, Tyler Morris, of Lockhaven, Pa.; and Houston Morris, of Anchorage, Alaska; brothers, S. Robert Hurst, spouse of Romana Hurst, of San Antonio, and E. Gordon Hurst, of Summertown, Tenn, and a multitude of nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.
In addition to her parents, she was proceeded in death by her husband, Robert J. Bates, with whom she shared 55 years of marriage; brother, Conrad C. Hurst II; and step-grandson, Auston Morris.
Dana graduated from Spartanburg High School in 1951 and attended Converse College in Spartanburg, Coastal Carolina in Conway, S.C., Columbia University in New York and University of Alabama Huntsville where she majored in fine arts. A talented artist, Dana shared her artistic abilities and creativity with many throughout the years from radio and TV from working as an ad writer in Spartanburg, writing a column that covered local women’s stories for Myrtle Beach News, to teaching beginning and intermediate students the art of drawing and oil painting in Huntsville and Greensboro, Ala. Years later, Dana worked in Morgantown for the Last Word Christian book store and West Virginia Public Theatre. Amidst all her accomplishments, it was her love for her daughters and husband that brought her the most joy in life.
Dana was a member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha sorority in Spartanburg, a charter member of the Myrtle Beach Business and Professional Women’s Club and was active in Women’s Aglow Fellowship, Northern West Virginia Area Board. At Cheat Lake Community Church, Dana taught Women’s Bible Studies, Women’s Sunday School classes, and served as a Deacon. Dana and husband Bob were members of CLCC for many years. Dana and Bob were part-time residents of Surfside, S.C. for most of their adult lives and loved walking the beach and spending time with their wonderful friends.
As described by one of her dear friends, “We are left with the wonderful memories of a Christian Southern Lady, who gave all she had to her Lord, her family, her church and so many younger women of the day.”
The family is profoundly grateful to Arlene and Laura for their compassion, love and unwavering care over the past few years. You will always be part of our family.
Family and friends will be received at the Davis-Weaver Funeral Home 329 E. Main Street Clarksburg from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30. Funeral services will be conducted at Cheat Lake Community Church at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 1 with Pastor John Sommers presiding. Mrs. Bates will lie in state at the church beginning at 10 a.m. Per state and CDC guidelines, face coverings and social distancing are required. The Davis-Weaver Funeral Home is honored to serve the Bates Family during this time.
Condolences:
www.davisweaverfuneralhome.com
