Reba Holland Bates

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, September 26, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at McConnell Funeral Home, 1200 East Forrest Street, Athens, AL 35613, with burial to follow at Higgins Cemetery. The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00 p.m. prior to the service. The service will be officiated by Barry Tucker, along with other loved ones who will share memories and reflections. Pallbearers will be Kenneth Holland, Kenneth Smith, Kelly Atchley, John Kelly Atchley, Christian Facundus, and James Sadie.

Reba was born on April 23, 1931, in the Pleasant Grove community of Limestone County, the eldest of eight children of Eddie Dee Holland and Cassie Musgrove Holland. Raised on a farm, she learned responsibility early, plowing corn and picking cotton while working alongside her parents and siblings. She graduated from West Limestone High School in 1949, where she was known for her athletic ability and her love of softball.

She began her working life in local industry and later devoted more than two decades to the Limestone County School System. There she served as a teacher’s aide for children with special needs and also drove a school bus, often making sure her students could attend the Special Olympics. Reba was exceptionally hardworking, at one point holding three jobs simultaneously to provide college money for her children. She retired in 1992 but never slowed down, building and re-building Oakdale Mobile Home Park after losing everything to a tornado in 1995. She served many people in the little community that she built.

Reba was also a longtime member of Central Church of Christ, where she worshiped faithfully on Sundays for more than 50 years. She valued the relationships she built there and found comfort in both fellowship and worship.

Above all, Reba was devoted to her family. She was the proud mother of three children: Gregory Allen Bates, Lana Bates (Kelly) Atchley, and Kerry Dale (Taime) Bates. Her greatest joy came from being “Nana” to her grandchildren: John Kelly (April) Atchley and Cassie (James) Sadie, and later to her great-grandchildren: Harper Joan Atchley, Vivian Lana Atchley, and Charles Kelly Atchley. She was also “Nana” to the Facundus family, who she saw as her second ‘bonus’ family and loved like her own. Her love was not soft-spoken, but it was steady, fierce, and deeply loyal. She wanted the best for her family and taught them the value of hard work, honesty, and perseverance.

Reba was a woman of resilience and determination. She worked hard all her life. She didn’t complain and disliked idleness. Even into her 90s, she kept her independence, shopping and running errands on her own. She would say: “Prepare for hard times. Always do the best with whatever you have.”

Reba will be remembered for her strength and devotion—to her family, her faith, and her community. Her legacy of perseverance and love will continue to live on through all who knew and loved her.

She is survived by her siblings Peggy (Kenny) Smith of Athens, AL; Janie Brewer of Shorter, AL; Brenda (Joe) White of Anderson, AL; Kenneth Holland of Elkmont, AL; and Timothy (Debbie) Holland of Athens, AL, along with many loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by Eddie and Cassie Holland; Price and Cecil Holland; Hershel Bates; and Gregory Allen Bates.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to Parkwood Health for their compassionate care, and to all who faithfully stood by her through the last year. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity in Reba’s honor.