Rev. Robert Harold Bates, 77, retired teacher and ordained Cumberland Presbyterian Church minister, died Thursday, December 17, 2009 at Maury Regional Medical Center.
Funeral services will be conducted Monday at 10:30 a.m. at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church with Rev. Calvin Lunn and Rev. James Miller officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Mount Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Sunday from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Oakes & Nichols concluding with Masonic Rites at 6:00 p.m.
Notes of sympathy may be sent to www.oakesandnichols.com.
Born in Cookeville in Putnam County, he was the son of the late Toy Bates and Bessie Mae Bockman Bates. He was a graduate of Bethel College in McKenzie and did post graduate work at Middle Tennessee State University where he completed work toward a Master's Degree in Education.
From March, 1949 to March, 1952 he served in the Tennessee National Guard, Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 173rd Armored Division, with the rank Sgt. 1st Class and the U. S. National Guard.
Ordained into the ministry of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in September, 1952, he served many churches in Tennessee and Kentucky. During his fifty years of ministry, he was privileged to serve as Moderator of the Cookeville Presbytery and Columbia Presbytery in Tennessee and Mayfield Presbytery in Kentucky. In Maury County, he pastored the congregations at McCains, Pleasant Mount, and West Point Cumberland Presbyterian churches.
In addition to his ministry and preaching duties, Rev. Bates taught school in most areas where he pastored. He retired from teaching at Santa Fe School, but continued as counselor and teacher of the Children's Shelter in Lewisburg.
Various organizations benefited from his service. He was a member and served as Treasurer of the Maury County Teachers' Association; served as a Scout Master for Boy Scout Troops in Wilson and Franklin counties; was a member of the National Rifle Association and American Legion. He was a 51-year 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason in the Nashville Lodge; 50 year member of Columbia Masonic Lodge and past member of the Columbia Eastern Star and past Patron of the Eastern Star in Sharpe, Kentucky.
He blessed many as a faithful husband, caring father, and loving Christian man. He will be greatly missed by many he served including his wife of 56 years, Betty Ruth Berry Bates of Columbia; daughters, Deborah Ruth (Terry) Skillington and Rebecca Keren (John) Vernon; son, David Jonathan (Ruth) Bates; grandchildren, Sara Elizabeth (Jeff) Hill, James Patrick Skillington (Jessica Boshers), and Jeffery Harold Vernon; step-great-granddaughter, Jadian LaRae Hill, all of Columbia.
Active pallbearers are Jeffery Vernon, Jeff Hill, James Skillington, Jimmy Upshaw, Dennis Hayes, Dave Lamar, Briggs Primm, and Paul Lamar. Honorary pallbearers include present and retired ministers of the Columbia Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Harry Mitchell, Jack Wilsford, Kenny Lamar, Jimmy Lamar, Larry Lamar, and staff of NHC Hillview.
Funeral services will be conducted Monday at 10:30 a.m. at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church with Rev. Calvin Lunn and Rev. James Miller officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Mount Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Sunday from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Oakes & Nichols concluding with Masonic Rites at 6:00 p.m.
Notes of sympathy may be sent to www.oakesandnichols.com.
Born in Cookeville in Putnam County, he was the son of the late Toy Bates and Bessie Mae Bockman Bates. He was a graduate of Bethel College in McKenzie and did post graduate work at Middle Tennessee State University where he completed work toward a Master's Degree in Education.
From March, 1949 to March, 1952 he served in the Tennessee National Guard, Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 173rd Armored Division, with the rank Sgt. 1st Class and the U. S. National Guard.
Ordained into the ministry of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in September, 1952, he served many churches in Tennessee and Kentucky. During his fifty years of ministry, he was privileged to serve as Moderator of the Cookeville Presbytery and Columbia Presbytery in Tennessee and Mayfield Presbytery in Kentucky. In Maury County, he pastored the congregations at McCains, Pleasant Mount, and West Point Cumberland Presbyterian churches.
In addition to his ministry and preaching duties, Rev. Bates taught school in most areas where he pastored. He retired from teaching at Santa Fe School, but continued as counselor and teacher of the Children's Shelter in Lewisburg.
Various organizations benefited from his service. He was a member and served as Treasurer of the Maury County Teachers' Association; served as a Scout Master for Boy Scout Troops in Wilson and Franklin counties; was a member of the National Rifle Association and American Legion. He was a 51-year 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason in the Nashville Lodge; 50 year member of Columbia Masonic Lodge and past member of the Columbia Eastern Star and past Patron of the Eastern Star in Sharpe, Kentucky.
He blessed many as a faithful husband, caring father, and loving Christian man. He will be greatly missed by many he served including his wife of 56 years, Betty Ruth Berry Bates of Columbia; daughters, Deborah Ruth (Terry) Skillington and Rebecca Keren (John) Vernon; son, David Jonathan (Ruth) Bates; grandchildren, Sara Elizabeth (Jeff) Hill, James Patrick Skillington (Jessica Boshers), and Jeffery Harold Vernon; step-great-granddaughter, Jadian LaRae Hill, all of Columbia.
Active pallbearers are Jeffery Vernon, Jeff Hill, James Skillington, Jimmy Upshaw, Dennis Hayes, Dave Lamar, Briggs Primm, and Paul Lamar. Honorary pallbearers include present and retired ministers of the Columbia Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Harry Mitchell, Jack Wilsford, Kenny Lamar, Jimmy Lamar, Larry Lamar, and staff of NHC Hillview.
Rev. Robert Harold Bates, 77, retired teacher and ordained Cumberland Presbyterian Church minister, died Thursday, December 17, 2009 at Maury Regional Medical Center.
Funeral services will be conducted Monday at 10:30 a.m. at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church with Rev. Calvin Lunn and Rev. James Miller officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Mount Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Sunday from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Oakes & Nichols concluding with Masonic Rites at 6:00 p.m.
Notes of sympathy may be sent to www.oakesandnichols.com.
Born in Cookeville in Putnam County, he was the son of the late Toy Bates and Bessie Mae Bockman Bates. He was a graduate of Bethel College in McKenzie and did post graduate work at Middle Tennessee State University where he completed work toward a Master's Degree in Education.
From March, 1949 to March, 1952 he served in the Tennessee National Guard, Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 173rd Armored Division, with the rank Sgt. 1st Class and the U. S. National Guard.
Ordained into the ministry of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in September, 1952, he served many churches in Tennessee and Kentucky. During his fifty years of ministry, he was privileged to serve as Moderator of the Cookeville Presbytery and Columbia Presbytery in Tennessee and Mayfield Presbytery in Kentucky. In Maury County, he pastored the congregations at McCains, Pleasant Mount, and West Point Cumberland Presbyterian churches.
In addition to his ministry and preaching duties, Rev. Bates taught school in most areas where he pastored. He retired from teaching at Santa Fe School, but continued as counselor and teacher of the Children's Shelter in Lewisburg.
Various organizations benefited from his service. He was a member and served as Treasurer of the Maury County Teachers' Association; served as a Scout Master for Boy Scout Troops in Wilson and Franklin counties; was a member of the National Rifle Association and American Legion. He was a 51-year 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason in the Nashville Lodge; 50 year member of Columbia Masonic Lodge and past member of the Columbia Eastern Star and past Patron of the Eastern Star in Sharpe, Kentucky.
He blessed many as a faithful husband, caring father, and loving Christian man. He will be greatly missed by many he served including his wife of 56 years, Betty Ruth Berry Bates of Columbia; daughters, Deborah Ruth (Terry) Skillington and Rebecca Keren (John) Vernon; son, David Jonathan (Ruth) Bates; grandchildren, Sara Elizabeth (Jeff) Hill, James Patrick Skillington (Jessica Boshers), and Jeffery Harold Vernon; step-great-granddaughter, Jadian LaRae Hill, all of Columbia.
Active pallbearers are Jeffery Vernon, Jeff Hill, James Skillington, Jimmy Upshaw, Dennis Hayes, Dave Lamar, Briggs Primm, and Paul Lamar. Honorary pallbearers include present and retired ministers of the Columbia Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Harry Mitchell, Jack Wilsford, Kenny Lamar, Jimmy Lamar, Larry Lamar, and staff of NHC Hillview.
Funeral services will be conducted Monday at 10:30 a.m. at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church with Rev. Calvin Lunn and Rev. James Miller officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Mount Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Sunday from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Oakes & Nichols concluding with Masonic Rites at 6:00 p.m.
Notes of sympathy may be sent to www.oakesandnichols.com.
Born in Cookeville in Putnam County, he was the son of the late Toy Bates and Bessie Mae Bockman Bates. He was a graduate of Bethel College in McKenzie and did post graduate work at Middle Tennessee State University where he completed work toward a Master's Degree in Education.
From March, 1949 to March, 1952 he served in the Tennessee National Guard, Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 173rd Armored Division, with the rank Sgt. 1st Class and the U. S. National Guard.
Ordained into the ministry of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in September, 1952, he served many churches in Tennessee and Kentucky. During his fifty years of ministry, he was privileged to serve as Moderator of the Cookeville Presbytery and Columbia Presbytery in Tennessee and Mayfield Presbytery in Kentucky. In Maury County, he pastored the congregations at McCains, Pleasant Mount, and West Point Cumberland Presbyterian churches.
In addition to his ministry and preaching duties, Rev. Bates taught school in most areas where he pastored. He retired from teaching at Santa Fe School, but continued as counselor and teacher of the Children's Shelter in Lewisburg.
Various organizations benefited from his service. He was a member and served as Treasurer of the Maury County Teachers' Association; served as a Scout Master for Boy Scout Troops in Wilson and Franklin counties; was a member of the National Rifle Association and American Legion. He was a 51-year 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason in the Nashville Lodge; 50 year member of Columbia Masonic Lodge and past member of the Columbia Eastern Star and past Patron of the Eastern Star in Sharpe, Kentucky.
He blessed many as a faithful husband, caring father, and loving Christian man. He will be greatly missed by many he served including his wife of 56 years, Betty Ruth Berry Bates of Columbia; daughters, Deborah Ruth (Terry) Skillington and Rebecca Keren (John) Vernon; son, David Jonathan (Ruth) Bates; grandchildren, Sara Elizabeth (Jeff) Hill, James Patrick Skillington (Jessica Boshers), and Jeffery Harold Vernon; step-great-granddaughter, Jadian LaRae Hill, all of Columbia.
Active pallbearers are Jeffery Vernon, Jeff Hill, James Skillington, Jimmy Upshaw, Dennis Hayes, Dave Lamar, Briggs Primm, and Paul Lamar. Honorary pallbearers include present and retired ministers of the Columbia Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Harry Mitchell, Jack Wilsford, Kenny Lamar, Jimmy Lamar, Larry Lamar, and staff of NHC Hillview.
Inscription
REV. ROBERT HAROLD
BATES
JAN. 6, 1932
DEC. 17, 2009
Ordained Sept 28, 1952.
military marker:
ROBERT HAROLD BATES
US ARMY
JAN 6 1932 DEC 17 2009
Family Members
Children
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
