Edsel Earl Bates Sr. age 95 of Athens passed away Sunday at Goldton Living Center in Athens.
Mr. Bates was born October 5, 1927 in Limestone County. Mr. Bates was longtime Elder and member of Brentwood church of Christ, and a member of Pleasant Valley church of Christ in Athens. Mr. Bates assisted in the startup of W.L.Hailey and Co. Inc. in Nashville later becoming company President. Mr. Bates was active in the Creive Hall Sam Davis Baseball League where he coached and served as commissioner. Mr. Bates served his country honorably in the U. S. Army during the Korean Conflict.
Services will be 1 pm Friday in the chapel of Spry Funeral Home with Bill Hall and Bert Wilson officiating. Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday from 10AM until service time.
Pallbearers will be Phillip Bates, Andrew Bates, Anthony Bates, Andrew Johnston, Lucas Bullington and Issac Bullington.
Survivors, Great Friend, Jo Bailey of Athens. Sons, Edsel Earl Bates Jr. (Peggy) of Brentwood , Tennessee. Alan Ray Bates (Amy) of Union, Kentucky. Grandchildren, Misty Dawn Bates Johnston (Andrew) of Franklin, Tennessee.Phillip Edward Bates (Sheryl) of Nashville, Tennessee. Andrew Lee Bates (Sarah) of Walton, Kentucky. Anthony Bates (Sarah) of Erlanger, Kentucky. Four Great Grandchildren. Sisters, Tula Merle Craig of Athens. Ethelene Haraway Ogles of Rogersville. Mr. Bates was preceded in death by his Parents, Lake and Ethel Bates. Wife, Pauline Eubanks Bates. Brothers, Quinton Bates, O’,Neal Bates, Bryce Bates. Sister, Evelyn Patterson.
