Renee S. Roehrs Bates, 47, of Festus died Jan. 25, 2020, at Barnes- Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Mrs. Bates earned three bachelor’s degrees and spent 28 years in the educational field, 14 years as an elementary teacher for the Dunklin R-5 School District and the rest as southwest Missouri region field service representative for the Missouri State Teachers Association. She was a member of MSTA, Delta Delta Delta Sorority and Our Lady Church in Festus, and was a former R-7 Brownie troop leader and a former member of Zion Lutheran Church in Pevely. Born May, 7, 1972, in St. Louis, she was the daughter of the late Lodyce Agnes (Thoms) Scroggins Roehrs Dittmer and Frederick William “Fritz” Roehrs.
She is survived by her husband of 24 years: Matthew Bates; a daughter: Amanda Laura Bates of Festus; three sisters: Sandy Scroggins of Springfield, Cindy Lucas of Festus and Sandy Caldwell of Cordova, Tenn.; two brothers: James “Pat” (Kelly) Scroggins of Festus and Tommie Ray (Janine) Scroggins of Festus; and numerous other family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her stepfather: Clarence Dittmer; and a sister: Luann (the late Richard) Frazier.
A memorial gathering is at 10 a.m. followed by memorial Mass at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 31, at Our Lady Church, 1550 St. Mary’s Lane, in Festus, officiated by Father Gregory Klump. Memorials may be made to the Amada Bates Education Fund. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.