Martha Flett Vaughn Scates

January 21, 1926 - January 22, 2021

Martha Jane Scates was born near the Meramac River in eastern Dent County to Edward A. and Martha J. (Reddick) Flett on January 21, 1926. She was the youngest of nine children. She married Carl F. Vaughn on December 1, 1946. He died in April, 1981. On May 7, 1987, she married Charles R. Turner. He died in April, 1998. On March 17, 2000, she married L. Keith Scates. He died in December, 2004. Mrs. Scates died January 22, 2021 in Springfield, Missouri at the age of 95. Survivors include her daughters, Nila Hayes and husband Everett and Carla Bishop and husband John, all of Springfield, MO. Step-children, Mark Scates, David Scates and Sherry Shaw of Oklahoma and Mickie Turner of Arizona. Grandchildren, Amanda Woolf Demster and fiancé, Brandon Wise, Ozark; Michael Hayes and wife Marcie, St. Louis; Mark Hayes and wife Sara, Sanford, Florida. Great granddaughters, Ainsley Demster and Addison Hayes, and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Preceding her in death were her parents, husbands, sister, Edna Millsap and husband Herschel, infant sister, Mary Jane; brothers, Harold Flett and wife Leona, James Flett and wife Nadine, Maurice Flett and wife Patricia, Paul Flett and wife Lenora, Lowell Flett and wife Grace, Glen Flett and wife Margarette. Sister-in-laws, Fleda Litty and husband Jake, Betty Ellis and husband Jess. Brother-in-laws, Albert Lee Vaughn and wife Anna, Joe Turner, Jr. and wife, Kenneth Scates and wife Marilyn. Mrs. Scates worked for over 40 years for Dent County. She began as a clerk in the Collector’s Office. Upon returning to work after her daughters were born, she worked in the Circuit Clerk and Recorder’s Office. She retired from the Dent County Health Center. She grew up in the Gill Cumberland Presbyterian Church. In later years, she attended the Salem United Methodist Church and the Salem Church of Christ. After retirement, Mrs. Scates loved to travel and spend the winters either in Arizona or Texas. She especially enjoyed the summers in Branson meeting new people in resorts, attending music shows, playing cards and dominos. She also enjoyed attending Missouri State University Bears and Lady Bears basketball games while health permitted. She resided at Bradford Court Assisted Living in Nixa, MO the last four years of her life where the staff lovingly watched over her and provided numerous activities that she thoroughly enjoyed. She especially enjoyed the dominos, music programs and bingo. Her quiet disposition, beautiful blue eyes and wonderful smile will be dearly missed. Donations may be made to the ABC Memorial Fund – Walker Cemetery, P O Box 182, Salem, MO 65560. Mask requested by family as well as social distancing.