Mayrene Bates

Beloved local educational legend Mayrene Bates passed from this world to the next on January 6, 2023. She was a teacher at Fairview Elementary, librarian at Grange Intermediate, Vice Principal at Fairfield High, Principal at both Crystal Middle School and K.I. Jones Elementary School, Assistant Superintendent of the Solano County Office of Education, and a Trustee on the Solano County Board of Education. Bates was also a rock-steady wife and mother, a dear friend, a compassionate and creative colleague, and a mentor and role model to many. To say that Mayrene Bates came from humble beginnings is an understatement.. She was born on April 15, 1934, to Ernest and Pauline Beasley in the tiny town of Liberty, Tennessee. She attended a segregated school from first grade to 8th grade in a one-room schoolhouse that served as the church on Sundays. When she went to high school, she had a 32-mile bus ride as she was not allowed to attend a school 16 miles from her home. After high school, she received a scholarship to Atlanta University Library School where she earned a master’s degree in library science. In 1955 she met and married a career Air Force man, James Bates, and as military families often do, they moved frequently and came to Fairfield in 1970. Through her long educational career, Mayrene Bates was a powerful force for good in the local community. For her tireless efforts, she was honored with numerous state, county, and local awards. Among them are serving as the grand marshal of Fairfield’s Fourth of July Parade, being named honorary commander of Travis Air Force Base, and having a street named after her, Mayrene Bates Lane, which opened in 2003 in the Gold Ridge subdivision off of Peabody Road. Though she was a very busy woman juggling the demands of a career and home, she always made time for random acts of kindness. Many locals treasure her thoughtful thank you notes or words of encouragement usually accentuated with a cartoon that tickled her fancy that she wanted to share. The poor girl from Tennessee who attended segregated schools eventually visited all seven continents. In a 2020 newspaper column about her remarkable life, Bates exhibited her attitude of gratitude for those who helped her navigate her life path. “We don’t do anything alone. There is always someone who gives us a hand or encourages us. I have had lots of people like that over the years and I’m very grateful. I’ve had such a wonderful life.” Mayrene Bates is survived by her husband Retired Lt. Colonel James Bates, her son David Bates (Laura), and grandchildren James and Jazmyn. She is preceded in death by her son Mark Bates and her siblings Joann Floyd, Betty Sue Beasley, James Beasley, and Kenneth Beasley. MEMORIAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS, FEB. 23, 2023: The Order of Service (open to the public) will begin at 10:00 AM at Solano Community College, 4000 Suisun Valley Rd., Building 1400, with an “Omega Omega” Service performed by the Solano Valley Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, followed immediately with the Memorial Service at 10:30 AM. Parking is free in Lot 2. The processional will depart at 11:30 AM for the 1:00 PM Interment at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Road, Dixon CA 95620. A Reception will be held at the County Event Center, 601 Texas St., Fairfield, CA 94533 from 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Mayrene Bates name to the United Negro College Fund (https://uncf.org/ways-to-donate) or a local high school educational scholarship fund.

Tributes

Mayrene Bates

January 6, 2023