On June 11th, 2021, Billie Jean Swanigan Bates, born on August 17th, 1938 received her God’s reward and her spirit was guided to her new heavenly home from the Bowers Hospice House in Beckley, WV. All those that knew Billie will remember her Christian faith, her kindness, her compassion and wit, and her willingness to do hard work. She began her life as a “coal miner’s daughter” and was a graduate of Fayetteville High School. She never left the hometown she loved. She went to work at a young age as a telephone operator. She was a true “working mom” and she served as a secretary/office manager for many local lawyers, doctors, county zoning officers, pharmacists, nursing home administrators and church pastors. She finished her earthly work career as the church secretary for the Fayetteville Baptist Church serving in many capacities.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Bobby J. Bates; her parents, Leonard V. and Arlene Swanigan; two sisters, Elizabeth (Mac) McNew and Connie (Murphey) Howerton. Those who will continue to honor her memory include two sons, Robert and Michael (Melissa) Bates of Fayetteville, WV; a daughter Deanna (James) Johnson of Lexington SC; and three grandchildren, Molly (Vernon) Farrell, Micah Bates and Marcy Bates; five sisters, Carol (Ray) Hurn, Susan (Bob) Singletary, Brenda (David) Potter, Polly (Dwight) Mentzer, and Debbie Appleton; a brother, Leonard Swanigan, Jr.; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Visitation for all the family and friends will take place at the Fayetteville Baptist Church on Tuesday, June 15th, 2021 beginning at 11 AM. Funeral Services for Billie will begin at 1 PM with Pastor Jack Eades and Rev. Ron George presiding.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Bowers Hospice House for their wonderful compassion and care and Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home for their assistance in making final arrangements. Interment will take place at the Fayetteville Huse memorial Park in Fayetteville, immediately following the service.
For those that wish to honor Billie’s memory, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations to the Fayetteville Baptist Church – memorial Scholarship Fund be made. This fund assists the church’s college and vocational education students. Donations may be sent to the Fayetteville Baptist Church, 104 Ankrom St., Fayetteville, WV 2840.
Online condolences may be left on our website at www.doddpaynehessfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home, Fayetteville, WV.
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