Lelia Spates

Lelia Mae Spates, born on May 25, 1937, in Lake City, South Carolina, peacefully transitioned to eternal rest on December 15, 2024, at the age of 87, leaving behind a legacy rich in faith and family. As a devoted Christian, Mother Spates was a woman of profound faith, embodying a life of service, love, and unyielding strength. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bennie Joe Spates, who passed at the young age of 45 in 1981, leaving her the immense responsibility of nurturing their six children. Lelia's faith became her guiding light, as she courageously embraced the challenge of rearing her children, rooted in spiritual and moral fortitude while supporting their academic and professional aspirations. Her deep-seated faith was reflected in her lifelong membership at the Greater Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, where she served with unwavering dedication under the leadership of Reverend Dr. Norman E. Freeman, Jr. She served on the Mother’s Board and Usher Board, and worked with the youth ushers, leaving a significant impact on the community she so dearly loved. A compassionate and wise matriarch, Lelia’s strength and grace touched the lives of everyone around her, offering sound advice and an open heart to all who sought her counsel. Professionally, Lelia dedicated thirty years of service to Holy Cross Hospital, retiring in 1997. Never one to rest idly, she continued to work in various roles, cherishing the sense of active engagement within her community. Her involvement extended beyond her professional life into the hearts of those around her as a member of the Heroines of Jericho. Mother Spates is reunited in eternity with her parents, Willis and Eloise Graham, her son Bennie Lee Spates, and her beloved husband, Bennie Joe Spates. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Her compassion, wisdom, and open-hearted nature left an indelible mark on everyone she encountered. As we celebrate her life, we take solace in the knowledge that her legacy will live on through the countless lives she touched and the family she so lovingly nurtured. Mother Spates will be lovingly remembered by her children: Sheila Lucas (Eddie), Maurice Spates (Cassandra), Gerald Spates, Don Spates (Chanel), and Stacy Spates. Her cherished siblings, Elizabeth McFadden and Charles Turner, as well as her godchild, Aneesa Mitchell, will forever hold her memory close. Lelia’s enduring spirit also lives on in her eight grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild, along with her special nieces: Cynthia Watkins, Lillie Spates, Theresa Spates-Freer and Kimberly Jackson, as well as a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. May her memory be a blessing forever

Lelia Spates

May 25, 1937 - December 15, 2024