Funeral service for Mrs. Bernice Hall Gatlin Bates, age 87, of Fayetteville, will be conducted Monday, August 31, 2015 at 1 p.m. at Higgins Funeral Home with Bro. Tim Smith and Jerry Gatlin officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery. Mrs. Bates passed away Saturday, August 29, 2015 at the Donalson Care Center.
Mrs. Bates was a native of Belvidere, TN, the daughter of the late Robert H. and Beatrice Ervin Hall. Bernice worked at a variety store for 11 years, and ran a blueprint machine for 4 years in Alabama. After moving to Tennessee, she worked in the Dietary Department in nursing homes for 20 years. She was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and also a member of the VFW Aux., of which she was treasurer for 20 years.
She was married to the late Willis Lee Gatlin for 50 years. To this union was born 3 children, Sue (K.C.) White of Childresburg, AL, Roger Dale Gatlin of Peachtree City, GA, Ricky Lee (Melinda) Gatlin of Woodstock, GA. She is also survived by grandchildren Lee J. White, Onna (John) Baldwin, Gloria (Jason) Lathem, Krista (Clay) Overton, great grandchildren Ansley Lathem, Carson Lathem, Ethan Baldwin, Emmy Kate Baldwin, Evey Overton, sister Mildred Murphy of Estill Springs, TN, brother Robert Earl Hall of Smyrna, TN and several nieces and nephews. Along with her parents and first husband, she was preceded in death by second husband Johnny Bates, grandson Rob White and brothers Lem Hall, Tommy Hall.
Visitation with the family will be Monday, August 31, 2015 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Higgins Funeral Home.
