Velma Cates

Velma 'Beanie' Cates, age 78, of Rockwood, Illinois passed away in her sleep on Wednesday July 22nd, 2020 at Manor Court Nursing Facility in Carbondale, Illinois.

Beanie was born November 6, 1941 in New Haven, Illinois. She was the youngest of 3 children born to Calvin Bean and Dorothy Margaret (Merritt) Bean.  On December 29, 1956 she married the love of her life Charles T. Cates  who survives.

She was a member of the Christian Church in Murphysboro.  Beanie loved flowers and was well known for floral designs over the years.  She loved the outdoors, especially gardening, flowers and watching the birds.  She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and will be missed

Beanie is survived by her husband of 63 years Charles 'Chuck' Cates. A son - Charles 'Chuckie' (Wendy) Cates of Makanda, IL; a daughter - Connie Cates and Steve Hempel of Fort Myers, FL;

6 Grandchildren - Clayton (Stephanie) Cates of Xenia, OH; Tyler (Melinda) Cates of Festus, MO; Rachel (Kevin) Matteson of Lake St Louis, MO; Logan Mueller of Murphysboro, IL; Levi Cates and Cody Cates both of Makanda, IL.

11 Great-Grandchildren - Ruby Cates, Lyla Matteson, Ella Matteson, Satyanna Cates, Conar Cates and Braelynn Mueller.

- Sydney Matteson, Kiefer Matteson, Zachary Holmes, Lauren Holmes and Madison Holmes.

Beanie was preceded in death by her parents - Calvin Bean and Dorothy Margaret Jenkins; her stepfather - Dean Jenkins; and her siblings - Thomas Bean and Doris Murphy.

Visitation for Beanie will be on Saturday, July 25, 2020 at the Cox & Son Funeral Home in Ridgway from 12 Noon to 1:00 PM.  Her funeral service will immediately follow at 1:00 PM with Jack Travelstead presiding.   Beanie will then be laid to rest in the Union Ridge Cemetery in New Haven.

You may leave a note of comfort to the family at www.coxandson.com