Obituary of Carol E. Bates Webster

Carol E. Bates-Webster, 83 years, went home to be with the Lord on June 25, 2012 at Kindred Transitional Care and Rehabilitation Center in Kennebunk surrounded by her family and friends. Carol was born in Newton Highlands, MA on August 17, 1928, a daughter of Emery Nelson and Mary Smith (Crawford) Leonard. She graduated from the Longy School of Music in 1951. While living in Scituate, Carol taught piano to hundreds of pupils for over 65 years, was the accompanist for the Scituate High School chorus, and the childrens choir director at First Congregational Church. With a servants heart, she knit thousands of hats, mittens, baby blankets and shawls for orphans, prisoners, single moms and the infirm. She started the Stuffed Bears ministry with her cherished friends at the Messiah Christian Church in Wells. The bears were given to hospitals, doctors offices, troops, womens shelters and anyone who needed a hug. When she saw the need for ministering to the needy, she started a food shelf at her church. She played piano at her church and was a frequent presenter of the childrens message and started the Senior Spirits fellowship. Well done good and faithful servant. She was predeceased by her husband Ralph Webster. She is survived by her son David Bates and his wife Lynne of Lakeland, MN; a daughter Nancy Kingsbury of Kennebunk, ME; seven grandchildren, James Kingsbury, Jennie Bozic and husband Dejan, Hannah Arlich and husband Jerod, Adam Bates, Katie Merrill and husband Alex, Hillary Bates and Caroline Kingsbury; two great-grandchildren, Jacob and Tyler Merrill. There are no calling hours. A Memorial Service will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 27, 2012, at the Messiah Christian Church, 2700 Post Road in Wells. In lieu of flowers, donations in Carols memory may be made to: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW, Washington, DC 20024. Carols family would like to thank the staff at Kindred Care for their kindness to Carol. Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer Street, Kennebunk, ME. www.bibberfuneral.com.