Sandra F. Bates, of Perkasie, PA, passed away Sunday, October 29, 2023, at Grand View Hospital, West Rockhill Twp., PA.  She was   83.

She was the loving wife of 50 years of the late Franklin H. Bates, Jr., until his passing on June 6, 2013.

Born in Reading, PA, she was the daughter of the late Richard and Miriam (Heinly) Leimbach.  A 1958 graduate of Owen J. Roberts High School, Pottstown, PA, she attained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education with a focus in English from Penn State University in 1962.

A homemaker, Mrs. Bates taught 7th & 8th Grade English in the Pennridge School District, Perkasie, from 1963-1965.

She was a member of St. Andrew's United Church of Christ, Perkasie.

Mrs. Bates volunteered for many years with the Ridge Crest Christmas Shop Craft Ladies, Sellersville, PA.  She was very active with Pearl S. Buck International, Perkasie, where she served as President of the Volunteer Association from 1999 to 2003.  For Pearl S. Buck International, she also served on the Board for many years as well as Editor of their newsletter and she volunteered as a tour guide.

A long-time Philadelphia Phillies baseball fan and avid golfer, she loved visiting Ocean City, NJ.  She was an enthusiastic and talented cook who enjoyed eating a "good cheesesteak" with her sons.

She is survived by two sons, William F. Bates and his wife Caroline, of Evans, GA, and Gregory R. Bates and his wife Sara, of Columbia, SC; and four grandchildren, Alexander, Michael, Adelaide and George Bates.  In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Linda Duval.

Her Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at St. Andrew's United Church of Christ, 615 East Walnut Street, Perkasie, where family and friends may call from 9:00 to 10:00 AM.  Interment will follow in St. Andrew's Union Cemetery, Perkasie.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Pearl S. Buck International, 520 Dublin Road, Perkasie, PA  18944, or www.pearlsbuck.org or https://donate.cancer.org

Arrangements are by the Suess-Gahman Funeral Home, 606 Arch Street, Perkasie.