Tessie M. Bates

Tessie M. (Wallen) Bates, 86, of Fall River, widow of Edward Joseph Bates II, formerly of Somerset, died Monday, September 12, 2016. Before her retirement, she was employed by Dover Stamping. She enjoyed cooking, painting, game shows, arts and crafts and playing and watching golf. She was born and raised on Caney Ridge in Dickenson VA, near the small town of Clintwood, Virginia. She was the daughter of the late Grace Wallen who died giving birth to Tessie. Tessie was raised by her grandparents,
J L and Margaret Wallen, as one of their children and was treated by their children as a sister. Those children were: Vesta Reedy, Bessie Rose, Opal Salyers, Susie Seveny Andrew Wallen, Newton Wallen, Rufus Wallen, Edison Wallen, Ernest "Bud" Wallen and Hattie Baker, all of whom are deceased and a sister that survives her, Lillian Ratliff.
Besides her sister, she also leaves a daughter, Kristina Couto (husband Robert) of Fall River, three grandchildren, Stephanie Couto (fiancé Tyler Rowe), Amanda Fonte (husband Matthew) and Edward Couto (companion Holly DeCambra); a great-grandson, Kaden Fonte; her sister-in-law, Barbara Botelho and many nieces and nephews She was the mother of the late Edward Joseph Bates III.
A funeral service will be held Thursday at 11:00 a.m. in Auclair Funeral Home, 690 South Main St. Fall River with a visitation prior to the service from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Burial following the service in Saint Patrick Cemetery, Somerset, MA.

Large parking area & barrier-free entrance at the rear of funeral home.

Donations to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, 501 St Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 or Dana -Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168, are appreciated.

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