Margaret Virginia Allen Bates, age 88, of Anderson, passed away on Thursday, March 3, 2016, at AnMed Health Medical Center. Born in Dallas, TX on April 18, 1927, she was the daughter of the late Charles Payne Allen and the late Marjorie Edith Lilley Allen. Mrs. Bates attended Louisiana State University where she majored in home economics. For fifty-six years, Mrs. Bates was the loving and devoted wife of the late Thomas Emery Bates until his death in 2000. She was a wonderful, loving mother and grandmother, and was a member of Grace Episcopal Church where she was one of the group that polished the brass on the alter. Margaret was a member of the Revelers Club in Anderson, and she enjoyed playing tennis at the Cardinal Racquet Club. Survivors include a son, Thomas Allen Bates "Tab", and his wife, Julie, of Pendleton; two daughters, Cynthia C. Tallent and her husband Howard, of Anderson and Christine Bates Roberts of Hampstead, NC; five grandchildren, Cathy Robertson (Mike), Tom Cole (Shannon), Elizabeth Stewart (Tim), Clint Bates (Megan), and Parker Bates (Caroline); eleven great-grandchildren, Gavinion, Maggie, Zach, Catie, Hunter, Chase, Carleigh, Dylan, Ava, Dorie, and Payne. A Memorial Service to celebrate and honor the life of Mrs. Margaret Bates will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 12, 2016, at Grace Episcopal Church, with Rev. John B. Hardaway, IV officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the church parlor. Contributions in memory of Mrs. Bates may be made to Grace Episcopal Church Good Shepherd Fund, 711 S. McDuffie Street, Anderson, SC 29624. A message of condolence may be sent by visiting www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com. The McDougald Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Anderson. Events Memorial service Saturday, March 12, 2016 2:00PM Grace Episcopal Church 711 S McDuffie St Anderson, SC 29624 Phone: 864-225-8011