Donald Glenn (Sonny) Bates, Sr.

Donald Glenn (Sonny) Bates, Sr. passed away on August 30, 2024, in Greensboro, NC, after a short illness at the age of 89. He was born in Norton, VA on March 21, 1935. Sonny leaves behind two sons, Donald Glenn (Donnie) Bates, Jr. of McLeansville, NC; Gerald Lynn Bates of Dillwyn, VA and a daughter Donna Bates Campbell (Tim) of McLeansville, NC. He is also survived by 5 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Sonny was preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Earnestine Collins Bates; his parents Emory Vermont Bates and Elsie Jane McGlothin Bates; his 5 brothers and 4 sisters.

Sonny loved God, his church family, and his Pastor. He attended the Pineland Street Full Gospel Church in Greensboro, NC.

He was the epitome of a true family man who took care of everyone and made his family his priority throughout his life. Sonny loved to read books, about any kind of book, but particularly westerns, biographies, books about history, and his daily newspaper. He relished and enjoyed mixing it up in a little political conversation as well.

For decades, Sonny along with his wife and many other family members, often spent their weekends, holidays, and vacations at his beloved camp on Lake Teresa in Linden, NC. He was a great cook and truly enjoyed feeding and entertaining his many guests and friends alongside the campfire at the lake. Sonny loved country music too particularly some of the old country legends like Ray Price, Jim Reeves, and Roy Acuff.

He began his working career at the Pepsi Cola Bottling Company in Norton, VA, as a general laborer and a forklift operator where he worked for 8 years. In 1962, Sonny moved his family to Greensboro, NC, where he continued to work for Pepsi in Greensboro rising to become assistant plant and production manager. After several decades, Canada Dry hired him away from Pepsi to become their plant and production manager and to reorganize their plant and reinvigorate their workforce where he set production records. Sonny was a true company man and truly loved his job. He provided a combined total of 47 years of service to the beverage industry working at Pepsi Greensboro and Canada Dry.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Saturday, September 7, 2024 at Hanes Lineberry North Elm Chapel, 515 North Elm Street, Greensboro. A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, September 21 at Laurel Grove Cemetery, 4805 Kentucky Avenue, SE, Norton, VA.

Memorial contributions may be made to Pineland Street Full Gospel Church, 1028 Pineland Street, Greensboro, NC 27407.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared by visiting www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com