Margaret Jane Cates

Margaret Jane (Mingus) Cates, 87, of Spavinaw, Oklahoma, passed from this life on Monday, April 24, 2023, in Spavinaw, Oklahoma. She was born on September 28, 1935, in Inola, Oklahoma, the daughter of Avery Mingus and Myrtle (Dyer) Mingus. Shortly after graduation from Inola High School in 1953, she began working as a secretary for American Airlines. In 1956, she met the love of her life, Donald. The couple married on June 22, 1957, and spent 65 wonderful years together. Together, they resided in Claremore until they settled on their farm in Spavinaw in 1977, where they lived happily and watched their family grow. In 1979, she resigned from her job to stay home and take care of her sons, Donald, and John. She loved cooking and baking for her kids and grandkids. You could find her at the beauty shop every week to get her hair done. As a kid, she attended Willieo Baptist Church and later joined St. John Lutheran Church in Pryor. She enjoyed going to activities her family were involved in, as well as church activities. Margaret enjoyed watching church services online from home. A lovely woman of faith who loved her Lord, her family and friends.  She leaves behind a wonderful legacy, along with many memories for all to cherish.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, May 1, 2023, in the Shipman’s Funeral Chapel. Interment will follow in the Ross-Mayes Cemetery with Donald Paul Cates Jr., Jason Hughes, Carson Cates, Gregory Cates, Jason Teague, Weston Davis, and Trevor Hughes serving as casket bearers.  A visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Sunday, April 30, 2023, at Shipman’s Funeral Home. To leave a personal message for her family, please visit her Guestbook at www.shipmansfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Shipman’s Funeral & Cremation Service of Pryor.

She is survived by her children, Donald P. Cates and wife, Tammy of Spavinaw, OK and John Cates and wife, Nicole of Spavinaw, OK; Grandchildren, Julie Hughes and husband, Jason of Salina, OK, Paul Cates and wife, Wendi of Pryor, OK, Jessica Teague and husband, Jason of Checotah, OK, Gregory Cates and Isabella Cates of Spavinaw, OK; great grandkids, Matti Davis and husband, Weston of Salina, OK, Trevor Hughes and wife, Hannah of Westville, OK, Jacie Hughes, Carson Cates, Hayley Teague, Lane Teague, Wyatt Gage, Emeri Gage, Everli Cates and Tripp Cates;  great great granddaughter, Logan Hughes. She is preceded in death by her parents, Avery and Myrtle Mingus; husband, Donald Cates; sister, Betty Mingus; brother, Paul Mingus and sister-in-law, Bobby Mingus; and great grandson, Hunter Teague.