"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."  John 14:1-3 KJV.

Rita Ann Johnson Bates was born to Alfred and Theresa Johnson on October 22, 1945, in Lafayette, LA.  She was baptized on November 4, 1945, accepting Christ.  She was cared for and nurtured by John and Leona Nelson.  She attended St. Theresa Catholic School, graduated from Ross High, and went to college for nursing.  She was a proud member of St. Theresa Catholic Church.  She was also a proud member of the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary.  She married Murphy Joseph Bates Jr., on February 13, 1965.  She was employed by Whiteway Laundry for 20+ years.  She was a loving, nurturing, and devoted mother to four daughters.  She was the joy in our family.

She leaves to mourn, her three daughters Cherise (Ralph) Robinson of Crowley, LA., Carlonda (Craig) Miles of Crowley, LA., and Jennifer (Carlos) Hubbard of Rayne, LA; her sisters, Angel Holland of Breaux Bridge, LA. and Anna Johnson Williams of Lafayette, LA; her brother, Robert Johnson of Breaux Bridge, LA; her sister-in-law, Rosita (David) Bennett of Crowley, LA; her grandchildren, Nathaniel Bates, Franciska Bates, Cissley Eaglin, Joshua Green, Tabitha Green, Gregory Gray, Jr., Shamyra Gray, Bettina Shelvin, Andretti Bates, Ralph Bates, Jr., Kaysar Bates, Taylor Bates, Ebony Smith, and Xavier Johnson; a very special nephew, Jacob Solomon; thirty-seven great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother Alfred and Theresa Johnson; uncle & aunt, John & Leona Nelson; her husband, Murphy Joseph Bates, Jr; her daughter, Bernadette Bates Richardson; her grandson, Brydon Kade Gray; brothers, Joseph Johnson, Freddie Johnson, Cornelius Johnson, Ray Nelson, George Nelson, and Jacob Nelson; her sisters, Melba Johnson Thibodeaux, Cora Johnson Talbot, and Mary Nelson Solomon; her godson, Joe Neal Francis, Jr.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, May 21, 2022, at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 417 W. Third Street, Crowley, LA.  Father Reverend Mark Odoguje will officiate.  Visiting in the church will begin at 8:00 AM.  Burial will follow in the South Crowley Cemetery under the direction of Semien-Lewis Mortuary of Jennings, LA.