Alice Delores Bates

Alice D. Bates, 95, of Shiprock, NM passed away peacefully on May 4, 2025. Alice was born on June 13, 1929, in Cornfields, AZ to John and Katherine Stevens. Her clans were the Naaneesht’ezhi Tachii’nii (Zuni Red Running into the Water) Cliff Dwellers (Tsinijikinii).

Alice attended St. Michaels Indian School. She was a seamstress during her early years. She moved to Shiprock, NM from Ganado, AZ in 1955 and was employed as a dorm matron with San Juan Boarding school, then employed at the Shiprock Boarding School. While employed she attended Navajo Community College at Many Farms, AZ in the mid-to late 1960’s where she continued her education. On October 6, 1986, she started working at Central Consolidated School District in Shiprock, NM. She was an educator while employed there working with special needs children. She worked alongside Ms. Marla Sipes who taught our mom a lot. She especially enjoyed working with the sped children. She retired on May 26, 2006, from the school district. She has one surviving family member, her sister Caroline Brown.

Alice is preceded in death by her husband Harry Bates Sr., sons Harry “Tots” Bates Jr., Frederick Bates, and Levon Bates, daughter Celina Bates, parents John and Katherine Stevens, brother Harold Stevens, and sisters Ruth Smith, Dorothy Lowe, Carol Kirk, and Anna Frazier

She is survived by her son Timothy “Chun” Bates, daughters Cindy Bates-Begay, Nadine Bates, Della Bates, and Clara Bates, sister Caroline Brown, and many grandchildren. Alice had a total of 26 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren, and 12 great-great grandchildren

A visitation will be held on May 10, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Rosary will follow at 9:30 a.m. Followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church in Shiprock, NM. Burial will be held at Kirtland Fruitland Cemetery. A reception will follow the services at Nenahnezad Chapter House in Fruitland, NM.

Pallbearers are Michael Thomas, Carl Bates, Hostiin Bowman, David Kirk Jr., Aaron Brown, Smeenie Eriacho, and Aria Lomas.

Flowers can be sent to Farmington Funeral Home.