Kenneth Eugene Motes, 84, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at Marshall Medical Center North. There will be a celebration of life for him in the spring of 2021. Ken was born March 27, 1936 in Decatur, Alabama to Raymond Edward Motes, Sr. and Lillie Bea (Williams) Motes. After graduating from New Hope High School, Ken served in the U.S. Air Force, stationed in Goose Bay, Labrador. After his time in the Air Force, Ken worked in the U.S. Army on Redstone Arsenal in the missile defense program. During this time, he traveled all over the world, including Germany and Israel. In addition to his love of travel, Ken loved his family, his lake house on Preston Island, the Alabama Crimson Tide, collecting antique glassware, camping, hunting and golf.
Ken is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond Edward Motes, Sr and Lillie Bea (Williams) and a brother, Raymond Edward Motes, Jr. He is survived by his loving wife of 13 years, Gwen Motes; his son Greg Motes and wife, Jennifer; daughter Tami Galloway; his step-son Chris Bell and Wife, Buffy; his grandchildren, Emily and Ashley Motes, Jarrod and Braydon Galloway, and Layla, Harrison, Mason and Cathryn Bell. Ken also leaves behind a brother, James Erskine Motes and a sister, Shirley Faye Knight as well as many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews
The family would like to extend a special thanks to all of the nurses, doctors and staff at Marshall Medical Center for their loving care of Ken at the end of his life. Gwen has worked at Marshall Medical Center South for many years and the staff at both hospitals is considered family to her.
If you would like to make a donation in honor of Ken, please send your donation to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, VUMC Gift & Donor Services, 3322 West End Ave., Suite 900, Nashville, TN 37203-1197.
