Bonita Bates Mesmer's Obituary
BONITA BATES
MESMER, 89
Winston Elementary
Secretary &
WWII Moral Booster
LAKELAND - Bonita Bates "Miss Bonita" Mesmer, 89, passed away peacefully at the Consulate Nursing Home on Thursday, June 5, 2014 from heart failure.
She was born in Lakeland, FL, June 22, 1925 to Harry and Dorothy Bates, former Deacon and Treasurer of New Home Baptist Church.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Chris and Wayne Aycock of Winter Haven, daughter Melissa Bell and son, Tracy Mesmer of Lakeland, 4 grandsons, and 11 great grandchildren and her good friend, Mildred Evers.
She retired from the Polk County School Board after serving for 37 years as the Principal's Secretary at Winston Elementary. She was a Strawberry Girl, avid mystery book reader, football and NASCAR fan, and loved spending family time with her grandchildren.
Bonita is preceded in death by her parents, brother, Wallace "Raddy" Bates, son, Eric Mesmer, and grandson, Eric Mesmer-Sneed.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Funeral arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Cremation Center.
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