Bennie Boyce Bates

Sardis, MS – Mr. Bennie Boyce Bates, 85, of 101 Sycamore Street, died Sunday at Kitty Askins Hospice Center in Goldsboro, NC.

A native of Franklin County, Alabama, Mr. Bates was the son of the late Bennie Thomas Bates and Zelma Hester Bates and was retired Rural Industries Director for the State of Alabama. Mr. Bates was known in his community as a master craftsman.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 28, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. at Sardis United Methodist Church in Sardis, MS with Rev. Jim Cox and Rev. Doyce Gunter officiating. Graveside services will be held Thursday, July 29, 2004 at 2 p.m. at the City Cemetery in Red Bay, AL.

Mr. Bates is survived by his wife, Maurine Alverson Bates; his daughter, Donna Bates Wilson and husband, Jim of Goldsboro, NC; his son, Jan B. Bates and wife, Joan of Fort Myers, FL; his grandchildren, Kyla W. Martin and husband, Dan of Sugarland, TX, Gillian W. Smith and husband, Glen of Raleigh, Thomas Bates, Jeffery Bates, David Bates and Matthew Bates, all of Fort Myers, FL; and two great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sardis United Methodist Church, Sardis, MS.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday one hour prior to the service at Sardis United Methodist Church and on Thursday from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. at Deaton Funeral Home in Red Bay, AL.