Mary Elizabeth Bates died on June 9, 2020. Mary was born July 13th, 1942 to the parentage of Herman and Rosa Lee Caldwell in Ponca City, OK.

She was in the first class of black students to attend Ponca City High.

She graduated early at the age of 16 in 1957 and went on to college in Oklahoma City where she was a business major.

A memorial will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2020 at 2 p.m. Saint John Baptist Church, 1009 S. 11th St. Ponca City OK, 74601. Remembrances may be shared online at www.stittsworthfuneralservices.com.