Melvina Ruth Bates Ellison

December 21, 2016 Mrs. Melvina Ruth Bates "Bebe" Ellison, age 82 of 296 Meansville Rd., Union, formerly of Pacolet, passed away Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at the Union Medical Center. Mrs. Ellison was the widow of Ernest "Yokum" Ellison and was first married to the late William Coleman. She was born in Union, September 9, 1934, a daughter of the late William Emerson Bates and Fannie Mae Wix Bates. Mrs. Ellison was raised in the home of her maternal grandparents, Thomas and Mattie Vaughan. She was proud to be a member of the Steen family, whose grandfather had fought in the Revolutionary War. Mrs. Ellison attended Union High School and was of the Baptist faith. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Survivors include three nieces, Jackie Bates Weber and husband Bill of Union, Janet Bates Rogers of Columbia and Vera Bates Gault of Spartanburg; a special cousin, Olivia Faye Moore Henderson and her daughter Wanda Rollins and husband Chad all of Union; and several other nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by two brothers, Jack Ward Bates and his wife Birdie Mae Bates and William Thomas Bates. Graveside services will be held at 3:00 PM Thursday, December 22, 2016 at Union Memorial Gardens conducted by Rev. Randy Burgess. Memorials may be made to the Spartanburg Humane Society, 150 Dexter Rd., Spartanburg, SC 29303. The family will be at their respective homes and will receive friends at the cemetery following the services.