Lenora Jean Spates' Obituary
Lenora Jean Spates, 64, of Waterloo, Iowa died November 19, 2024 of natural causes. Lenora was born February 6, 1960 in Waterloo, daughter to Jethro and Martha L. Spates.
Lenora attended schools in the Waterloo Community School system in her early years.
She loved her family and was close to her nephew, nieces, and cousins in Waterloo. She cared for her children and spoke of them often. She loved shopping, especially for jewelry and handbags.
She is survived by her five children, Bianca Spates, Willie Denton Jr., Vanessa Cooper, Jeffrey Spates, and Shaquan Spates; grandchildren, LaTeisha Manning-Spates, Malik Spates, Mikal Davis, and Mikaela Kemp; her aunt, Barbara Jean Spencer of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; her brother, Earnest (Ardelia) Spates of Surprise, Arizona; three loving nieces, Mary Spates, Jimmi O’Neal, and Marcella Spates of Fairburn, Georgia; her favorite nephew, Christopher A. (Taura) Spates of Manvel, Texas; eight great-grandchildren; and great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins throughout.
Lenora was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Diane Williams, Eleanor Spates, and Maria Spates; and nephew, David Bryson.
Acknowledgement
Lenora (nickname Poo-Poo), you were a: Daughter, Sister, Cousin, Niece, Aunt, Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, and Friend to us. Over the course of time, all these roles you embraced happily. You showed that you cared about and missed your family and friends. Later in life, even though you lived away from us, you always wanted to return to your hometown, the place of your birth and to be with the people you loved.
You inherited your mother’s love of fashion and jewelry, her compassion and giving nature, and most importantly, her faith in God.
Over the years, your expressions of affection resulted in your creation of handmade gifts too numerous to count. And even though you knew we may never receive most of them, you felt compelled by love to do this. You always thought of your family, how much you missed not being with us and not being able to show us directly the love in your heart that you always felt.
We miss you today and for all the days to come. We hope you knew and felt the love we have for you in return.
The family of Lenora Jean Spates
The Sanders Service
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