Earl Frank Bates

MR. EARL F. BATES Mr. Earl F. Bates, 80, of West Point, died Thursday, July 3, 2008, at his home. The funeral service will be conducted at 6:00 p.m., Sunday, July 6, at the graveside in Gray Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in Troup county, with Dr. Michael Reeves officiating. Mr. Bates was born March 10, 1928, in Heard county, son of the late Thomas and Elizabeth Bates. He served in the Army and the Air Force during the Korean Conflict, had lived in Troup county most of his life, and was a member of Gray Hill Baptist Church. He retired from the Unity Division of Milliken and Company. Survivors include daughters, Earlene Bowen and Mary Elizabeth Eaton, of West Point, Shirley Gordy of Warm Springs, and Rebecca Bates of Alabama; sons, Paul Jackson Bates of Villa Rica and Charlie Clyde Bates of Dothan, Alabama; sister, Bonnie Bates, of Tennessee; and a number of grandchildren; and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Frances Arrington Bates, and a daughter, Bonnie Marie Bates. The Claude A. McKibben and Sons Funeral Home of Hogansville is in charge of arrangements. Visitation: from 6 until 9 Saturday night, July 5th Services: 6:00 p.m., Sunday, July 6th