Shelby Jean (Dempsey) Bates, age 79, went to be with the Lord peacefully Monday, November 12th, at her home in Huntsville, AL. She was born on March 22, 1939 in Morgan County, AL to L.C. and Lois (Morgan) Dempsey. She was a graduate of Huntsville High School and retired from Boeing. Left to honor Shelby and remember her love are; her daughter-in-law, Sandy Bates; her granddaughters Brandy (Patrick) Shipley and Monica Bates; six great-grandchildren, Bianca, Marcus, Amelia, Carley, Trinity, and Bailey; sister, Jody Harris, and many loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; beloved husband of 45 years, Bobby Gene Bates; son, Bobby Dewayne Bates; brother, Cranford; and sister, Beverly. The family will greet visitors on Tuesday, 6-8pm at Spry Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Wednesday, November 15th at 1:00 pm at Victory Tabernacle UPC on Blue Springs Road and Mrs. Bates will lie in state before the service from 12:00 noon until 1:00 pm. The family would like to extend their most sincere gratitude to Lacashus Luckett and Brittany Dozier for their loving care and also to the staff of Hospice Family Care.
