Lennis Edward Bates

Lennis Edward “Pa” Bates, 83, of Benton, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2021, surrounded by his loving family.

He was an active member at First Baptist Church of Benton and was on the cemetery board at Old Ocoee Cemetery.  He was also a double heart transplant patient.

Ed was preceded in death by his loving wife, Helen Bates; son, Lennis Edward Bates, Jr.; daughter, Angela Lewis; daughter-in-law, Shani Music Bates; parents, L.J. Bates and Hester Lillard Bates; sisters, Inez Ballew, Evalynn McConkey, Betty Burris, AnnaRuth Bates, Agnus Young and Katherine Green.

Survivors include his beloved grandson, Nicholas (Katie) Lewis; sister, Alice Hunt; above all, one of his most cherished memory was spending time with his great- grandson, Grayson Lewis.

A Celebration of Life service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 20, 2021 at First Baptist Church of Benton with Pastor, Dr. Robert Speights officiating.  Interment will follow at Old Ocoee Cemetery with Houston Jackson, Gabe Gamble, Brett O’Dell, Terry Thompson, Nicholas Lewis, Grayson Lewis and Mitchell Parker serving as pallbearers.   Honorary pallbearers will be Curtis Loveday, Denny Bates, Pete Pharr, Don Ledford, Toddy White, Bill Davis and Tom Hunt.

His family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Saturday, prior to the service at First Baptist Church of Benton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Gift & Donor Services, Vanderbilt University Medical Center Development 3322 West End Ave, Suite 900, Nashville, TN 37203.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.HigginsFuneral.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Higgins Funeral Home of Benton.