Numan Hollis “Sonny” Bates passed away peacefully in Tullahoma, Tennessee on his 91st birthday. He was a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps, having served during the Korean War. Sonny was a proud Marine who loved his country. He enjoyed gospel singing and faithfully attending church. In recent years, he made his home in Tullahoma, Tennessee, where he was a member of Trinity Christian Fellowship Church.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly Jean Bates and his wife, Wayne Milam Bates; his parents, Shelby Bates and Lila Pogue Bates; his infant daughter, Jessica Faith Bates and his son, Rodger Jolley; four brothers, Paul Bates, Thomas Bates, Roy Bates, and David Bates; and three sisters, Evelyn Rozelle, Mary Alice Smith, and Lillian Gertrude Quick.
Survivors include his daughters, Terry Bates, Kimberly Horne, and Pamela Howell; two brothers, Jeff Bates and Jimmie Bates; three sisters, Dora Warren, Jenell Tucker, and Claudia Moran; and his grandchildren, Brady Panter, Abby Panter, Chris Howell and Jennifer Howell.
The family will receive friends on Thursday evening from 6pm until 8pm at Hazel Green Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Friday at 1pm at the funeral home with Brady Panter and Sister Jenell Tucker officiating. Graveside services will follow at Lynchburg Cemetery with Pastor Stephen Reeves officiating.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local animal shelter.
Hazel Green Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.
