Thelma Jean Oates

Thelma Jean Oates, 80, of Patton Village, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 29 at her residence.

Funeral services are under the direction of Buffington Funeral Home in Gonzales, Texas and will be held on Friday, Oct. 5 at 10 a.m. at Buffington Funeral Home with Reverend Jesse Elizondo officiating. Interment will follow at Waelder City Cemetery in Waelder, Texas. Visitation will be held on Thursday, Oct. 4 from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Buffington Funeral Home. A reception will be held at the First Baptist Church / 218 N. Magnolia St. in Luling.

Thelma was born in Gonzales, Texas on April 19, 1938. She was the daughter of Harvey and Liddie Bell (Stockton) Baker. She was best known by many as Jean or Nanny. She graduated from Gonzales High School in 1956. She married Raymond Appling. Later she married Sam L. Oates and they resided in Kingsbury, Texas until his death, at which time she moved to Patton Village to be near her family. She attended Victoria College, and earned a degree as a Diagnostician. She worked at the EKS Foundation for handicapped children until she retired in the 90s. She was a longtime member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 177 in Luling, Texas. Jean loved to dance to a waltz, especially “Waltz Across Texas”. She was also known to be an awesome cook. She enjoyed family gatherings, puzzle books, watching old westerns and game shows on TV.

Jean is survived by one sister; Leola Martin of May Pearl, one daughter; Jeanne B. Reeves and her husband, William Clyde of Patton Village , Texas, one step-son; James Oates of Seguin, Texas, six grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, a special cousin; Bertha Hall, and a host of family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; Harvey and Liddie Bell Baker, her husband; Sam Oates, brother-in-law and sister-in-law; Jesse “Sonny” and Della Baker, brother-in-law; Barney Martin, and two infant daughters.

Pallbearers for Mrs. Oates will be; Stephen Earhart, Bluford Blankenship, Billy Reeves, Kavin Hall, Robert Gibson, John Alkinson, Joseph Reeves, and Kenneth Blankenship.

To join the family in celebrating Jean’s life and to offer words of comfort, please go to: www.buffingtonfuneralhomegonzales.com.