Verceree Kates was born in Little Rock Arkansas to parents, Wesley and Savannah Harris. She was the third of six children, with siblings Vernon, Vernice, Velma, John, and Lena. The Harris family moved to St. Louis when the children were small. Verceree Kates lived in St. Louis for the remainder of her life. As a young woman, Verceree married Leonard Neely. Her oldest child, Leonard Neely, Jr. was born to that union. September 25, 1947, she married Albert Kates Jr. to whom she was united for 53 years. Children born to this union include Sylvia, Sherry, and Kathleen. During her early years, Ms. Kates was a house-wife and part-time clerk at a local five-and-dime store. She also spent some time working for the Board of Education. Her longest employment was with the United States Postal Service - Main location. There, she began as a postal clerk, with an eventual move to the payroll division. In May of 1995 Verceree Kates received recognition for retirement from the US Post Office for 30 years of service. Vibrant and passionate are two words that describe Verceree's approach to her hobbies and interests. She was an artist, whose many masterful paintings and drawings adorned her home. She was an excellent seamstress as well, a talent she inherited from her father who was a tailor. Her strongest passion was her family and her love of God which she put before anything else in her life. Being a devout Christian, Ms. Kates gave service to her faith by living an exemplary life. A member of the Christian Science Church, for many years she was a Sunday School Superintendent, Church Reader, and served on the Church Board. Verceree Kates truly showed her Christian love for people on a daily basis. She helped many through her unfaltering generosity and numerous acts of philanthropy. Verceree Kates, beautiful inside & out and will truly be missed by all who knew and loved her. She is survived by her sister Lena Milton, three daughters Sylvia Jones, Sherry Nash, and Kathleen Abia, granddaughter Tiffany Henderson, grandson Steven Neely & family, great granddaughter Diamond Henderson, plus many nieces, nephews, family and friends. This Online Memorial has been created to commemorate the life of Verceree Kates. You are invited to add a Tribute in her memory. Please click "Sign Guestbook" below to add your own memories, reflections, thoughts or condolences.