Greer Funeral Home
235 South Pennsylvania
Mangum, Oklahoma 73554
(580) 782-3323
CATES
Alice Laurene Jennings Cates, age 73, of Mangum, passed away Friday, June 22, 2012, at Edmond OU Medical Center, in Edmond, OK.
Mrs. Cates was born in Greer County on March 6, 1939, to William and Ilah (Thetford) Jennings. Laurene started first grade at Edison Elementary in the Mangum Schools graduating with the Class of 1957. She married Sammie Cates on June 7, 1957. For a short time, they lived in Hereford, Texas, and Happy, Texas, where they farmed and ranched. In October 1991, they returned to Greer County where she lived until her death. In the mid 1990’s, Laurene worked at Grace Living Center, in Mangum, in Housekeeping, and later worked as the Activities Director until 2008. She always devoted Bible reading time for residents; families appreciated knowing Laurene cared about their loved ones.
Laurene always enjoyed gardening and spending time with her family and friends especially her nieces, nephews and grand children who spent many hours with her family.
Laurene was an active member of the Class of 1957 and participated in all their class gatherings, along with helping her class mates win first prize in their 50th Reunion parade entry in 2007. For several years, she furnished food for the Alumni Links Ray Hogan BBQ from her own garden.
Preceded in death by her parents, she is survived by her husband, Sammie Cates, of Mangum; one daughter, Samantha Cates of Elk City; three grandchildren, Courtney Ferguson and husband Brian of Ft. Hood, Texas, A.J. Hamer and Lauren Hamer of Elk City; one sister, Willa Dean Hart and husband Ed of Arizona and one brother, Dale Jennings of Russell along with many special nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Graveside services for Laurene Cates will be at 3:00 P.M., Thursday, June 28, 2012, at Riverside Cemetery, with Pastor Shawn Johnson officiating. Interment will follow under the direction of Greer Funeral Home of Mangum.
Online tributes may be made to the family at www.GreerFuneral.com