Obituary of Ashton Edwards Bates

Ashton Edwards Bates died peacefully in her home on September 12, 2017. Ashton was born in Baltimore, Maryland on August 31, 1937 to Elaine and Ellwood Edwards. She attended elementary school in Baltimore, but graduated from high school in Greensboro, where she was a championship swimmer. Ashton graduated from Western Carolina University in 1961 where she was a head cheerleader and majored in Elementary Education and Special Education. She married Gene Bates and moved back to Greensboro to work as a teacher of elementary grade students for more than thirty years. Ashton loved her family and was loved in return because of her extraordinary kindness and caring personality. She is survived by her daughters, Allison Bates Alvis and Ashleigh Bates Corthum, and her grandchildren, Shayne Horton, Nick Horton, Emily Corthum, Cole Corthum and great grandson, Asher. Ashton remained best friends with former husband, Gene Bates, who showed devote love throughout her life. The family will receive friends from 4-6 pm Saturday September 23, 2017 at Lambeth-Troxler Funeral and Cremation Service.