Anna Lois Marion Cates, age 88, of Frisco, Texas, passed away January 15, 2021. Lois was born July 24, 1932, near Lebanon, Texas, in Collin County, to James Thomas (“J. T.”) and Leva Oscar (Smith) Marion. She married Billy Ray Cates on March 12, 1955, in Amarillo, Texas.
Even though her life started out with many hardships, Lois grew into a strong, hard-working, compassionate, and generous woman, providing love, encouragement, and attention to all those around her. She was born and raised on a small farm which had no electricity, no running water, and no telephone for much of her childhood. Her father passed away when she was five years old, leaving her, her mother and brother to carry on with the help of neighbors and friends. She attended the Lebanon School through the eighth grade and then Frisco High School for her final four years. Active in school, she was a member of Frisco’s first girls state champion basketball team, the pep and cheerleading squads, and she served as a state officer in the Future Homemakers of America; she graduated from Frisco High in 1949, at the age of sixteen. After graduation, Lois worked in a variety of jobs and companies, mostly in the insurance management business in Dallas, Texas, learning and contributing as she went. Ultimately, she was promoted to and served as Vice President of Administration at Associates Combined Trust (ACT), Inc. in north Dallas, before retiring in 1992. In addition to her mostly full-time work for over 43 years, Lois was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and Christian, attending Lebanon Baptist Church and then First Baptist Church of Frisco. As a 70-year member at First Baptist in Frisco, Lois was very well known for her commitment to everyone and anyone, especially in visiting and sending cards, notes, and cartoons to any individuals who she thought needed some encouragement; we estimate that those personal contacts numbered in the thousands. She loved her school and her hometown, and in recent years has been active in the Heritage Association of Frisco. She was also a tenacious and successful advocate for the naming of Frisco schools after her favorite teacher, Edris Elliott (Elliott Elementary), and after the original community of Lebanon (Lebanon Trail High School). For her lifetime of love and service to her community, the Frisco Chamber of Commerce awarded Lois the Golden Eagle Award, and in 2013, Lois and Bill Cates were named the Frisco Silver Citizens of the Year.
Lois is survived by her husband of 65 years, Billy Ray Cates of Frisco, Texas; her sons, Michael Cates (wife Linda) of Frisco, Texas and Scott Cates (wife Stacie) of Pilot Point, Texas; her grandchildren, Tyler Bridge (wife Harley) of Nevada, Texas, Alexis Cates Smith (husband Zach) of College Station, Texas, and William Cates (fiancée, Emily) of Olean, New York; her great-granddaughter, Stella Bridge; her sister-in-law, Orpha Nell Marion Johnson (husband Lowell) of Lubbock, Texas; her “adopted” grandchildren Allison McFadden Wooten and Michael McFadden; and her numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents J.T. and Leva, her stepfather Alfred Frank Smith, and her brother, Thomas Marion.
A private burial will be in Ridgeview Memorial Park, and a subsequent memorial service and gathering of friends will be held at a later date yet to be determined. Cards or notes may be sent to Bill Cates, P.O. Box 75, Frisco, TX 75034.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Lois may be sent to Frisco Education Foundation, P.O. Box 567, Frisco TX 75034 or through the donate button on the FEF website (www.friscoeducationfoundation.org). Please note the donation is to be in memory of Lois Cates.