Lois D. Bates

Lois Darlene Bates passed away peacefully at the age of 93 in her apartment at Good Samaritan Assisted Living in El Paso, Texas, on Monday, August 24, 2026, and went on to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and her two sons, Harold Lynn Sloatman and Danny Paul Sloatman, whom she loved with all her life and missed so terribly.

Lois was born July 16, 1933, in Decatur, Illinois, to Oscar Elmer and Francis Elizabeth Bradley Walker. She was raised by her uncle and aunt, Clarence B. "Danny" & Anna M. Badorek Walker, from the age of 3 until she was 18, when she graduated from Decatur High School. She married Robert Harold Sloatman on August 25, 1951, and they had 2 sons, Harold Lynn and Danny Paul. Lois married Eugene Donald Bates, who was in the U.S. Army, in 1958. They lived in Germany for 3 years and moved to Ft. Bliss in El Paso in 1962. Harold graduated from Eisenhower High School in Decatur, Il., then joined the Air Force, and Danny graduated from Irvin High School in El Paso, TX, and received his BA from UTEP.

Lois began playing the piano at the age of 5, and it was her passion and joy her entire life. For over 30 years, she taught piano to students in northeast El Paso, played in various churches as a supply pianist, and she loved to sing. She was part of the Sanctuary Choir at First Baptist Church for over 25 years and sang in the annual Living Christmas Tree. She often played at the Royal Estates Retirement Center, at Good Samaritan Independent Living and Assisted Living facilities to the delight of the residents.

Lois served as an assistant to Dr. Natalicio, the President at UTEP, and was appointed by Dr. Natalicio to head The Center for Accommodations and Support Services at the University, where she served for over 25 years. She loved her cat, Sophi, the Dallas Cowboys, and every child to whom she taught piano and any children with whom she came in contact; but especially, she loved her family.

She is survived by her granddaughters: Christina Hill (John), Courtney Fozzard (David), and Dannell Wipperman (Brian), 4 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandsons; her sister, Gloria Byers; and several nieces.

She was predeceased by her parents, Oscar and Francis Walker; her parents who raised her, Clarence “Danny" and Ann Walker; the father of her children, Robert Sloatman; her husband, Eugene Don Bates; her sons, Harold and Danny; her grandson, Tanner Murphy; brothers, Jimmy & Stanley Walker and sisters, Aileen & Barbara Walker.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the charity of your choice.