C. H. Bates

Charles Hollis Bates, Jr., 86, of Rochelle Drive, died Friday at Lexington Memorial Hospital. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, October 27, at the First Reformed United Church of Christ in Lexington with the Rev. Dr. Walter R. Patten officiating. Burial will follow in the Lexington City Cemetery. Mr. Bates was born November 19, 1921 in Davidson County to Charles Hollis Bates and Addie Mae Helmstetler Bates as the third of five children. He retired from United Furniture Co. after many years of service and was a veteran of the US Army. He served during World War II in the Pacific Theater and was a member of the VFW Post 3074 and Amvets Post 13. Mr. Bates was a lifelong member of First Reformed United Church of Christ. He was very devoted to his church, where he was a member of the Men’s Brotherhood and Men’s Fellowship. His wife, Vera Wilson Bates, preceded him in death; as well as his sisters, Etta Mae Bates Jackson, Mildred Bates Morgan, Mary Virginia Bates Ray, and Evelyn Bates Lanning. Surviving are his nieces, Carol Church, and husband, Richard, of Asheboro, Myra L. Thompson of Lexington, Laura L. Perry, and husband, Michael of Thomasville, Norma Baker Cook of Raleigh and Tanna Wilson of Salisbury; his nephew, Jimmy Ray of Florida; his great nieces, Leah Maness of Ramseur, Mary Jon Church of Winston Salem, and Lauren Thompson of Lexington; his great great niece, Tori Maness of Ramseur; his brother in law, Elmer Morgan of Lexington; and his special neighbor, Jean Cable of Lexington. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the Church Parlor. Memorials may be made to First Reformed United Church of Christ, 104 E. Center Street, Lexington NC 27292. Piedmont Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.