Obituary – Betty A. Bates
Betty Ann (Skaggs) Bates was born on March 5, 1941, in Cherryvale, Kan., the fourth out of five children to Bert and Lucille (Carson) Skaggs. She passed away peacefully on October 19, 2026, surrounded by her loving family and finally was reunited with the love of her life, Jack.
As a baby the family moved from Cherryvale, Kan., to Plymouth, Mich., to join other family members. They lived there until she was four years old and then moved to Kinderpost, Mo., on the Big Piney River for her father’s health. They lived there for about six to seven years and then moved to a farm in Plato. Betty would get up early every morning to milk the cows before school and when she married Jack, she made him promise her she would never have to milk another cow again! And he kept his promise to her.
Betty graduated from Plato High School in May 1959, and two days later married the love of her life, Jackie “Jack” Dene Bates. They were married for over 51 years before his passing. To this union two children were born, Jacqueline Ann and Howard Dene and two angel babies.
After Jack was discharged from the Army, they moved to Excelsior Springs, Mo. They lived there for about six years before moving back to Licking. She worked at Rawlings Sporting Goods sewing uniforms, she was a homemaker, Boy Scout Leader, and active in her children’s activities running them wherever they needed to be.
In 1981 they moved to Enid, Okla., for better jobs. They lived there for five years before moving back to Licking to take care of and raise their two nieces, Lori and Cynthia Floyd, who were like daughters to them.
She was baptized at an early age and was an active member at Licking UMC until her health failed.
She and Jack loved to travel and went on several trips out west and to Canada. Betty will be remembered for her various hobbies of sewing clothes and making quilts for her family and friends and those in need. She loved to garden and make salsa, loved to read, float the Big Piney River with Jack, do word search puzzles, embroidery, being outdoors and taking NUMEROUS photos. If someone needed anything she was there to help in any way she could.
Betty always told everyone she had another brother, Ricky Skaggs, but they knew she was pulling their leg by the twinkle in her eyes. But her real claim to fame was that she was related to Christopher “Kit” Carson.
She is survived by her daughter, Jackie (Gary) Duncan, of Licking, Mo.; son, Howard (Amy) Bates, of Amarillo, Texas; nieces, Lori (Grant) Heithold, of Licking, Mo., and Cynthia Floyd of Rolla, Mo.; her grandchildren: Amanda (Matt) Honigsberg, Brock (Natasha) Riden, Betsy (Adam) Corkell and Blake (Mackenzie) Heithold, of Licking, Mo., Camerin (Jake) Fester, Karsin Heithold, of Rolla, Mo., and Johnathan Bates of Amarillo, Texas; great-grandchildren: Hunter (Aanika) Honigsberg, Lanie Honigsberg, Sawyer Heithold, Erinn Heithold, Myles Willard, Marley Willard, Parker Huff, Penelope Huff, Jett Fester, Braxton Corkell, Nova Corkell, Serena Riden, Blake Masters, Summer Heithold, Margo Heithold and Jack Heithold; sister, Alma (Skaggs) Mooney, and brother Delbert (Jenny) Skaggs; sisters-in-law Lila Skaggs and Nikki Skaggs, brother-in-law Dale (Veronika) Gooding, along with a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband Jack, her parents Bert and Lucille (Carson) Skaggs, and older brothers Raymond Skaggs and Jim Skaggs.
She will be greatly missed by her loved ones and friends.
A visitation for Betty will take place Friday, October 23, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Fox Funeral Home. A funeral service will follow at 12 p.m. at Fox Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Boone Creek Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Licking Bridge Builders or a charity of your choice, in loving memory of Betty. Pallbearers are Brock Riden, Matt Honigsberg, Adam Corkell, Johnathan Bates, Blake Heithold, Lanie Honigsberg, and Honorary Pallbearers Hunter Honigsberg and Travis Harris. Online condolences may be left at www.foxfh.net. Arrangements are entrusted to Fox Funeral Home.
