Obituary of Iris Walker Cates

Iris Walker Cates, 93, of Southport, NC, formerly of Hillsborough, NC died October 5, 2016 in Southport, NC. Mrs. Cates was born April 7, 1923 in Hillsborough, NC to the late William Henry and Lorena Walker. She was also preceded in death by her sisters; Ethel Whetstone, Hazel Strayhorn, Lucille Strayhorn, Miriam Allred and Elizabeth Walker. Iris was the widow of Scott Cates to whom she married in 1945 and died in 1972. Iris attended East Carolina Teacher's College. Iris and her husband operated a movie theatre in Hillsborough for several years before she became a secretary in Chapel Hill. She later accepted a teaching position for the Orange County Schools. Her first position was teaching business classes at the Aycock School and later Orange High School. She taught a total of 33 years and also served on the board of the Hillsborough Historical Society and the Hillsborough Business Professional Women's Club. After retirement, Iris volunteered at the Duke Hospital Gift Shop. She traveled extensively visiting most of the United States and 31 foreign countries. She enjoyed playing bridge and visiting with family and friends. In 2007 Iris moved from Hillsborough to Wilmington, NC to be closer to her son, his wife, and her grandchildren. Following a recent illness she moved to Carillon Assisted Living in Southport, NC. Iris is survived by her daughter; Patricia Arrowood and husband Roy of Las Cruces, New Mexico Her son; Scott Cates, Jr. and wife Karalee N. Cates of Southport, NC and their daughter Adrienne Cates of Cary, NC and Jared Cates of the home. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 pm, Friday, October 14, 2016 at the Hillsborough Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends Thursday, October 13, 2016 form 6:00 - 8:00 pm at Walker's Funeral Home, Hillsborough, NC. Interment will be in the Hillsborough Town Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Dr. Wilmington, NC 28401 or a favorite charity.