Amelia Virginia Lee Ferguson Cates, 92, of Athens, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008, at her home.

A native and lifelong resident of Athens, she was a daughter of the late Rev. Arthur H. and Amy Evans Ferguson, and was preceded in death by her husband, James Ira Cates, on April 26, 1998; two sons, William MacArthur Cates, on Nov. 3, 2007, and Howard Ellis "Curly" Cates, on Feb. 1, 1983; one daughter-in-law, Elizabeth "Liz" Cates, on April 23, 2001; seven sisters, Stella, Cora, Willard, Grace, Helen, Ruth and Jenny; and five brothers, Arthur, Alonzo, Frank, Walter and Morgan. She was a member of First United Presbyterian Church, where she served as an elder and formerly served as superintendent of the Sunday school, secretary of the Presbyterian Women and a member of the choir. During World War II, she was employed by the Clinton Engineering Company and was a former employee of Athens Dry Cleaners. She was a member of the McMinn County Historical Society and a lifelong member of the Democratic Party.

Survivors include two sons and one daughter-in-law, Frank "Skip" Cates of Athens, and Thomas "Hokey" and Marilyn Cates of Riceville; four daughters and two sons-in-law, Cordy Cates of Nashville, Frances "Cookie" and Douglas Carter of Cleveland, Judy Cates of Austell, Ga., and Susan and David Copeland of Marietta, Ga.; 11 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be noon Monday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with the Rev. L.B. Tate officiating. Burial will follow in Hammonds Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to noon Monday at the funeral home.

Those unable to attend may send condolences to mailto:condolences@laycock-hobbs.com