ENFIELD and SMYRNA – S. Joan Reed Bates, 76, died July 31, 2006, at a Lincoln hospital. She was born Feb. 26, 1930, in Millinocket, the daughter of Mack and Laura (King) Bouchard. Joan was a wonderful cook, crafter and quilter. Everyone looked forward to her date-filled molasses cookies for any special day, holiday or just because she loved us. She thoroughly enjoyed her friends, both in Maine and Florida, where she made her winter home. She was happiest being surrounded by her loving family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed. She was predeceased by her first husband, Grover Reed; her second husband, Eugene Bates; daughters, Rebecca Ireland and Virginia Reed; granddaughters, Kelly Reed and Cari Ireland; sister, Thelma Boudway; and brother, Francis Bouchard. She is survived by her four children and their spouses, Grover “Sonny” and Jeanne Read of Enfield, Joan and Rodney Sage of Howland, Jan and Tom Whitney of Lincoln and Kathy and Philip Pelkey of Lincoln; a son-in-law, Wayne Ireland Sr. and his wife, Susan; 13 grandchildren, Wayne “Bub” Ireland and his wife, Becky, Marisa LeBlanc and her husband, Andrew, Ryan Reed and his wife, Gretchen, Coty Reed, Kasey Reed, Mandy Spear and her husband, Tim, Lana Sage and her fianc?, Bruce Cummings, Kati Whitney, Laci Whitney, Brandon Bard, Justin Bard, Nolan Pelkey and Bryce Pelkey; 12 great-grandchildren, Samantha, Alexis, Emilee and Reed Ireland, Macy, Mollie and Maggie LeBlanc, Taryn, Lauren and Nicholas Reed, Ryker Spear and Max Woodman; stepchildren, Scott Bates and his wife, Christine, of Fort Myers, Fla., Chris Bates and his wife, Trudy, of Merrill and Torri Bates of Oakfield; step-grandchildren, Tonya and Raianne Bates, Valerie and Kris Dawn Bates, Sierra and Kylie Jo Kennedy; a great-stepgrandson, Austin Eugene Bates Cotier. Friends may call 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2, at the Clay Funeral Home, 7 Lee Rd., Lincoln. Funeral services will be held noon Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Dr. Bruce Young officiating. Interment will be at Dodlin Road Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society – Relay for Life, a cause that was very special to her. Donations may be left at the funeral home. For an online register book, please visit www.clayfuneralhome.com
S. JOAN REED BATES
