Birch B. Bates, Sr.

Birch B. Bates, Sr., 74, of Benton, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, September 23, 2011. He was a retired machinist with Foote-Jones of Downers Grove, IL. He lived in Chicago for 36 years, returning back to Polk County in 1993. He was a member of Zion Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ira Alvin and Velma Haskins Bates and brothers, Walter Ira Bates and Elton Ludie "E.L." Bates. He is survived by his wife, Leona Bates of Benton; sons, Burch Bates and wife, Monica and Paul Bates, all of Benton; daughters, Selena Moses and husband, Ronnie of Benton and Leslie Patrey and husband, Bob of Aurora, IL; grandchildren, Katie, Jaime, Josie, Jenny and Birch Bates, Rachel and Rebecca Moses and Jory, Jacob and Shelby Patrey; sisters, Martha Headrick and husband, Jimmie and Mary Campbell and husband, Johnny, all of Benton and Margaret Rogers and husband, Sam of Knoxville; brothers, Alvin Bates and wife, Jackie of Douglasville, GA and Ralph Bates and wife, Margaret and David Bates, all of Benton. Funeral services will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 27, 2011 in the chapel of Higgins Funeral Home with the Reverend Jackie Martin officiating. A private burial will be held later. The family will receive friends from 2:00-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home prior to the service. The family requests that memorials be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 7625 Hamilton Park Drive Suite 8, Chattanooga, TN 37421. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Bates family guest book at www.higginsfuneral.com.