WILMINGTON — Carol Amira Bates, 74, of Wrightsville Beach, passed away Sept. 13 at Lower Cape Fear Lifecare Center, Wilmington, N.C.
She was born April 11, 1950 in New York City, to the late Charles Amira and Ruth Gantz Amira. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Robert Amira and her 4 feline children: Floppy, Pearl, Hoover and Irie.
Surviving are her husband of 48 years, John M. Bates; her sister-in-law, Victoria Goldie Amira of Las Vegas, Nevada; two nephews, Brian Amira, and Michael Amira (Chelsea), of Phoenix, Arizona; a great-niece, Kaitlin Amira and a great-nephew, Atticus Amira. She is also survived by her very special feline son, Remi.
Raised in New York City, Carol graduated with honors from Queens College of the City University of New York in 1972. A college friend introduced her to the Wilmington Wrightsville Beach area, and she made frequent trips there during her college years. After graduation, she decided to spend some time in Wilmington, whereupon she met John and never left. They were married in 1976 and built a home at Wrightsville Beach in 1985.
Carol returned to school in the 1980’s to obtain a Paralegal degree, eventually becoming a NC State Bar Certified Paralegal. Over the next 32 years, Carol was employed by numerous law firms in the Wilmington area, ending her career at Murchison, Taylor & Gibson, PLLC.
Carol loved to travel. She backpacked Europe with a girlfriend for 3 months during her senior year of college, and she and John traveled the US for 3 months in a camper truck. Every winter Carol and John would spend several weeks on a Caribbean island, experiencing as many different cultures as they could. There were numerous return visits to St. Kitts, the Cayman Islands and their favorite island, the Commonwealth of Dominica. Also, Anguilla, Saba, and Virgin Gorda and Tortola in the BVI. In later years, they added cruises to their itinerary, and fun trips to Key West, Fl. Many weekends in NC found Carol and John on their boat in the waters surrounding Wrightsville Beach or at their cabin in Granville County on the banks of the Tar River. For 15 years they hosted a Memorial Day Weekend party at the land. Friends would come from all over the country for fun, frolics and music. Since John and many of the invitees were musicians, there were jam sessions all day and evening.
Carol was a two-time cancer survivor, having been diagnosed with breast cancer in 1988 and ovarian cancer in 2015. After her second diagnosis, she made it a goal to research cancer and adjust her lifestyle to improve her chances of survival. She was passionate about sharing her acquired knowledge with other patients in order to make their cancer experiences easier.
And her research paid off as the doctors gave her only 2 ½ to 4 years. She showed enormous strength and perseverance and managed to make it over 9 ½ years before ultimately losing the war.
Pursuant to Carol’s wishes, there will not be a funeral. Carol requested that friends and family remember her spirit as she embarks on another journey. She awaits their reunion on the other side. A private interment at sea will be conducted at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to Lower Cape Fear Lifecare Center, Adopt an Angel of Wilmington, or the charity of your choice.
If you wish to honor her in a more personal way, go watch the full moon rise out of the ocean, and/ or listen to some Bob Marley or Jimmy Buffett.
Online condolences may be sent here.
