Alma was born on May 24, 1916, in Mt. Pisgah, Kentucky, to Isaac and Bonnie Smith Sharp. At age 11 months she moved with her parents to Grinnell, Iowa. She was raised in Grinnell and graduated from Grinnell High School with the Class of 1934.
On February 28, 1937, she was married to Wendall Edwin Bates in Des Moines, Iowa. The couple lived in Grinnell, Minneapolis, New York City, Waterloo before moving to acreage near Newton in 1960.
She enjoyed reading, gardening, family genealogy, traveling, computer technology and planning her high school reunions.
Survivors include one son, Tom (Paulette) Bates of Houston, Texas; one daughter, Laura (Robert) Yorburg of Yorktown Heights, New York; one sister, Opal Lusk of Des Moines; and two brothers, Floyd Sharp of Grinnell and James Sharp of Newton.
He was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; and one sister, Doris Krumm.
The family will receive relatives and friends at the Depot Crossings Restaurant in Grinnell following the services.
Memorials may be directed to the American Heart Association and sent in care of the Smith Funeral Home, P.O. Box 368, Grinnell, Iowa 50112.
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