Carolyn Sue Bates

June 01, 1948 to January 21, 2026

Carolyn Sue Bates, age 77 of Houston, Texas died on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.

Sue was born in Dallas, Texas in 1948 and graduated from North Dallas High School. She had a varied career in security, retail, construction, and day care.  She poured her heart into everything she did, and nowhere was that more evident than in the way she adored her grandsons, James and Jesse. She always put them first, celebrating the young men they’ve become and encouraging them to pursue their dreams without hesitation or judgment. Her love for them was steady, generous, and unwavering.

For many years, Sue shared that same boundless love with the children at the Sugar Land Methodist Church nursery. Since 2012, she cared for hundreds of toddlers, guiding them with patience, kindness, and the gentle wisdom only she possessed. Whether she was helping them create art, reading stories, or calming their worries, she radiated a comforting presence. She was not only a dedicated teammate but a nurturing figure whose impact will be remembered by countless families.

Sue’s big heart extended to every living thing. She raised many dogs and a few cats over the years, always opening her home—and her love—to any animal in need. Her stray cat Turtle thrived for over 18 years under her care, and the foster dogs she welcomed often became lifelong companions because she simply couldn’t let them go. She nurtured her plants with the same devotion, tending to her cacti and succulents until they bloomed year after year.

Sue was someone who gave love freely and fully—to her family, to the children she served, to her animals, and to the small joys of life she cultivated with care. Her warmth lives on in every life she touched.

Sue was preceded in death by her son Dial West and her husband Lloyd (Tinker) Bates and her many beloved cats and dogs. She is survived by her daughter-in-law Emma West and her grandsons, James and Jesse West.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 10:30AM at

Sugar Land Methodist Church

431 Eldridge Road

Sugar Land, TX  77478

The family can be contacted:

Emma West emmawest1012@gmail.com

James West Jamesearl0693@gmail.com

Jesse West  westjes128@gmail.com