Carolyn Rose Cates

Carolyn Rose Cates

Carolyn R. Cates, 86, of Bradford, TN, passed away Wednesday, September 28, 2022, at Diversacare in Martin, TN. Carolyn was known as Grandma Cates and Momma Carolyn by her grands and great grands.

She was born on April 23, 1936, to Milford and Martha Schon in New Bavaria, Ohio. She was the oldest of four children and graduated from Resurrection High School in Michigan.

Carolyn married Edsel Cates on July 23, 1956, in Corinth, MS. They lived in Lansing, MI for fourteen years before making their home in Bradford, TN. The couple were married for 35 years prior to Ed’s death in 1992. Carolyn and Ed had two sons. Steve, who was born in 1957 and Nick who was born in 1962. They had one daughter, Andrea, who was born in 1975.

Carolyn worked at a bank and later for Dick Watson Chevrolet in Michigan. After moving to TN, she worked numerous jobs, sometimes two or three at a time. Carolyn worked at the pajama factory, taught exercise classes, babysat, worked as a crosswalk guard, and spent many years running the Bradford School cafeteria. She retired from there at the age of 72.

Carolyn loved watching her kids and grandkids in sports and cheerleading. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved the Lord.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, Milford and Martha Schon; her husband, Edsel Cates; and one grandson.

Carolyn is survived by her two sons, Steve (Renee) Cates of Harrison, AR and Nick (Kathy) Cates of Bradford, TN; one daughter, Andrea (Randy) Warren of Milan, TN; her grandchildren, Heather (Ross) Halsted and Stephanie (Derek) Henderson of Harrison, AR, Nikki (Peter) Lancaster of Atlanta, GA, Alsten (Ashley) Cates of Nashville, TN, Krissi (Wes) Nicks of Spring Hill, TN, and Tyler Warren of Milan, TN. Carolyn also had 7 great granddaughters and one great grandson. She is also survived by her siblings, Connie Wey, Ted Schon, and Theresa Anderson, along with many nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org) in lieu of flowers.