J.C. Bates

John C. (J.C.) Bates, 80, a resident of Ocoee, passed away at his home on Thursday, March 19, 2009. He was retired from Polk County Road Department after 32 years of service. He was a member of the Antioch Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew Bates and Vaudie Robinson Bates. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Billie C. Bates of Ocoee; daughters: Karen Wix and husband, Jim Wix of Tarago, Australia, Marilyn Bates of Ooltewah, TN, Gayle Taylor of Linsdale community; two sons: Mitchell Bates and wife Joan of Benton and Eric Bates and wife Julie of Cleveland; ex-son-in-law, Roger Taylor that he thought so much of; four grandchildren: Drew Taylor, Sydney Taylor, Mickey Bates and Jacob Bates; one step-granddaughter Emily Graham; sisters: Clara Dalton of Ocoee, Estel Ramsey and husband Gary of Cleveland, Nelline Merrell of Reliance, Kathy Helbert and husband Ronnie of Cleveland, Juanita Burgess of Cleveland; one brother, Jr. Bates of Reliance; several Nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Friday, March 20, 2009 in the chapel of Higgins Funeral Home with Reverend James Staton and Reverend Ed Eldridge officiating. Interment will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 21, 2009 in Greasy Creek Cemetery with a white dove release ceremony concluding the service. His family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday March 20, 2009 at the funeral home prior to the service. Memorials may be sent to his church Antioch Baptist Church of Benton, Tennessee or to Hospice of Chattanooga, PO Box 19269, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37416 or the American Cancer Research Center, 850 Fortwood Street, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37403. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Bates family guestbook at www.higginsfuneral.com.