Melveena Louise "Vena" (Weaver) Bates

Melveena Louise Bates, 55, of Harrah was born Feb. 9, 1957, to Melford Wesley Weaver Sr. and Bernice Monks Weaver.

Vena grew up in Panama and graduated from high school there. She had lived in Ardmore.

She was a retired teacher. Vena liked to travel and fish. She was a loving wife, mother and friend to all people.

She was preceded in death by her father.

Vena is survived by husband, Steve Bates; daughter, Bobbye Whitney; bonus children, Jason and Nichole Bates; mother, Bernice Weaver; brothers, Wesley Weaver and wife, Angie, Joe Swenson; two nieces, Megan and Kelsey Weaver; nephew, Trey Weaver, and mother- and father-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. John Bates.

Memorial services for Vena will be held at 1 p.m. Nov. 10, 2012, at Panama Assembly of God, Panama.

Arrangements are under the direction of Ford Funeral Home, Midwest City.

Reprinted with permission from the Poteau Daily News