Constantine Bates

Biography
Constantine Bates is the 80-year-old African American maid who loved Skeeter Phelan and took care of her while Skeeter's mother, Charlotte Phelan, had cancer and became very sick. Constantine adored Skeeter ever since she was a little girl. Skeeter really loved Constantine because she had raised her ever since she was born. Skeeter later tells Aibileen Clark that Constantine had quit and moved to Chicago to live with her daughter, Rachel Bates. Skeeter asks Charlotte about Constantine. Charlotte tells Skeeter about what really happened. When Skeeter was away at college, Charlotte had been forced to fire Constantine to save face because Rachel disobeyed her orders to go around back into in the kitchen while having a luncheon with the Daughters of America. Charlotte also tells a tearful Skeeter that she had sent Skeeter's brother, Carlton up to Chicago to bring Constantine home. When he got there, Constantine had died. A hurt and tearful Skeeter walks away, distraught while Charlotte sobs while sitting in her bed.

Constantine Bates: Born - December 24, 1883; Died - August 15, 1963