Marcus Bates

Mr. Marcus Dale ‘Tater’ Bates, 47, of 166 Tranquil Lane, Hamlet died Wednesday, May 23, 2007 at his home. He was born July 10, 1959 in Pickens Co., SC, a son of the late Lola Holden Miller and Fletcher Glenn Bates. Mr. Bates was a member of Zion Circle Church and retired from Sunstar Enterprises. He was a member of Riverside Hunt Club. Funeral services will be conducted 2:00 pm Sunday, May 27th at Zion Circle Church with Rev. Marty Butler, Rev. Larry Joyner, and Rev. Terry Holden officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Surviving are: three sons, Mark Bates of Lincolnton, Kalon Bates and Blake Bates, both of Hamlet; three daughters, Jenny Bates and Alysia B. Wilson, both of Cordova and Lilly Mae Stokes of Grover, NC; four brothers, Gary Bates of Rocky Point, Roland Bates of Stanley, Glenn Bates of Mt. Holly, and Trenton Kennedy of Ranlo; one sister, Gay Jory of Bessemer City; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a sister, Tessa Thornton. The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 6 to 8 pm at Zion Circle Church. Memorial donations may be made to the Marcus Bates Burial Fund, c/o Marion Bates, 138 Plantation Rd., Rockingham, NC 28379.