Ira Rudell Bates was born November 11, 1932 in Ripley, Mississippi the son of the late Lawrence and Pat Hopper Bates. Mr. Bates had attended Tippah County High School in Ripley, MS. He worked at Gulf Oil Company in LA, Built Rite plant in Ripley, MS, then carpentry and built houses, and later in life found his true calling in logging with mules. He was united in marriage to Mildred F. Gates in 1985. Mr. Bates also raised and sold game roosters and sold to several states. He enjoyed bluegrass music and could dance the night away. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting and whittling. He was a member of the Porters Creek Baptist Church in Middleton, TN. Mr. Bates departed this life on July 4, 2016 at Magnolia Hospital in Corinth, Mississippi after a short illness at the age of 83 Years, 7 Months, 23 Days.
He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Mildred Bates of Selmer, TN; a son, H. C. Bates and wife Sherri of Corinth, MS; four daughters: Diane Gates of New Albany, MS, Wanda Ponnell and husband Gene of Ripley, MS, Pat Simmons and husband Bill of Selmer, TN, Linda Moore and husband Kent of Middleton, TN; two brothers, Lee Bates and wife Betty of Danvers, IL, Jeff Bates and wife Janice of Ripley, MS; three sisters: Estell Roberson of Ripley, MS, Patty Grant and husband David of Ripley, MS, Linda Koon and husband Ray of Ripley, MS; a sister-in-law, Bobbie Bates of Ripley, MS; a brother-in-law, Jerry Talley of Walnut, MS; 10 Grandchildren, 25 Great Grandchildren, 7 Great Great Grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Bates was preceded in death by two brothers, Kenneth and James L. Bates; a sister, Patricia Tally; a grt-grt-granddaughter, Olivia Moffett.
Visitation will be held on Wed July 6, 2016 from 6:30 – 9 pm and services on Thur at 11 am at Shackelford Funeral Directors in Selmer, TN, with Kevin Isbell officiating. Pallbearers will be grandchildren: Heath, Tyler, Eric, Bryan Bates, Rickey, Donnie and Kerry Lane.
