Obituary of Marian Spates

Marian Long Spates, loving and beautiful spirit transitioned quietly on Monday, May 31, 2021.  Born on January 20, 1934, to the late Arthur S. Long and the late Ethel Victoria Stewart Long. Marian Long grew up in Jersey City, New Jersey, graduating from Lincoln High School in 1952.  In 1954, she married the late James Spates, and began her long-lasting lifelong legacy in Newark, New Jersey.    

For years, she volunteered her time providing bookkeeping services for Spates Tavern in Newark, New Jersey.  Before retiring as a Quality Control Inspector for Johnson Control, Inc. in 1996, Marian Spates worked in the Newark Public School System for decades.  She treasured children and showering them with love. 

Marian Spates took great pride and received much fulfillment from her work, taking care of her family and touching many lives along her life journey.  Her ability to inspire, connect, and help others through her nurturing and compassionate nature is paramount. Anyone who met Marian could immediately feel her warmth and unconditional love. She only saw good in those she loved.  She opened her heart to provide care, friendship, and support to anyone in need and prayed for them daily. She was a mother figure, dear friend, and counselor, and the loss of her physical presence is felt deeply by many. Words, indeed, could never capture the richness and beauty of Marian’s life and legacy.  Anyone blessed with holding a special place in her heart, knew by her words, kindness, generosity, and thoughtful gestures, that they had been touched by a very special soul.  

Marian Spates is preceded in death by her husband James Spates, her mother Ethel Victoria Long Stewart, her father Arthur S. Long, her brother Maurice Long and Louis Long, her daughter Toni Renee Spates and her son David Spates.  

 Loved ones left to say thank you for so many beautiful memories are her children James Darrell Spates, Wayne Spates, Morgan Stewart, Stephanie Hayes and Debra Toms;  16 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; a host of beloved nieces, nephews cousins and dear friends.  

The Spates family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to everyone for your encouraging words and prayers.