Teresa Faye Bates

Teresa Faye Bates, 55, died December 30, 2020, in Salisbury, NC.

A memorial service for family and friends is scheduled for Thursday, January 14, 2021, at 1 PM, at Salisbury National Cemetery Park in Salisbury, North Carolina. Teresa was born on October 2, 1965, in Bermuda. She attended the University of North Carolina Greensboro before enlisting in the United States Navy, where she served as a corpsman medical specialist from 1986-1988 at Quantico, Virginia.

Teresa was an active member of Find Your Way Church in Salisbury, NC, and loved to listen to Dr. Charles Stanley. She enjoyed making her famous green bean casserole for its members and friends. Teresa had a heart as big as her personality and never met a stranger. Often, she would seek out others less fortunate than herself to help with words of encouragement and prayer.

Teresa’s interests included caring for others, sending cards, and reading her Bible. She enjoyed being outdoors with nature and feeding the birds, squirrels, and even roosters near her home. Snoopy was her favorite cartoon dog, but her family’s dog, Bandit, always had a kiss for her. Teresa devoted much of her time and energy as a volunteer at the G(Bill)Hefner VA Medical Center in Salisbury, NC. She loved being with her veteran brothers and sisters.

Ms. Bates is survived by her mother, Gladys Byrd, stepfather James Byrd; her father Carl Bates and stepmother, Lois Bates; sister Alice Pawlik and brother-in-law Robert Pawlik; nephews Noah Pawlik and Luke Pawlik; stepsister Beth Sikorski, husband, Dave, step-nieces, Angel Sikorski, Kyra Sikorski, and step-nephew, Jaiden Sikorski.

In place of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to the SPCA of the Triad, 3163 Hines Chapel Rd, Greensboro, NC 27405. Donations can be made online at triadspca.org or by calling (336) 375-3222.

Lyerly Funeral Home is serving the Bates family. Online condolences may be made at www.lyerlyfuneralhome.com.

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