Gladys Noel Bates - Personal Life

Personal Life

Mrs. Bates was born to Andrew J. Noel, Sr. (1883–1960) and Hallie Sue Davis Noel (1893–1985). Both parents instilled the importance of duty to God, family and community in their five children. In addition, they emphasized the importance of higher education. Her father obtained his college education by selling his inheritance (land) and putting himself through college. Her mother was a graduate of the University of Chicago.

Mrs. Bates was reared and educated in Jackson, Mississippi. Mrs. Bates attended Alcorn A&M College in 1937-39. She received her B.A. from Tougaloo College (1939–1942) and a Masters degree from West Virginia State University (1952). She further studied at the University of Colorado, Denver.

In 1938, John M. Bates (1913–1995) and Gladys Winnie Noel were married. From this union two children were born, Kathryn Sue Bates (1939) and John Milton (“Bunky”) Bates, Jr. (1945–2005).

Prior to their marriage, John Bates, Sr. attended schools in Fairmont, West Virginia and was graduated from West Virginia State College. He joined the coaching staff of Alcorn A&M in Alcorn, Mississippi in 1937. In 1979, John earned his doctorate in education from the University of Colorado.

While visiting relatives in Denver in 1960, John and Gladys applied to the Denver Public Schools for teaching positions and were hired.

The Bates’ have received community recognition in the form of some of the most prestigious awards presented for community service. Dr. Bates was the only person to head both the North East Park Hill Civic Association and its successor organization, The Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. organization.;

The John M. and Gladys N. Bates Award recognizes an individual contributions in the areas of human relations, multiculturalism and the field of education.

Dr. and Mrs. Bates have become nationally recognized and valued participants in community activities to enhance: educational opportunities, graffiti removal, gang interdiction, confronting drug abuse, encouraging strong interracial community relationships, creating jobs and economic opportunity, and mentoring emerging leaders of the community, they advocated using all of the community tools available.

Bates died October 15, 2010.