Holdridge Ray Bates

Danville

Funeral for Holdridge Ray "H.R." Bates, 79, of Danville will be Thursday, September 8, 2011, at 3 p.m. at Roselawn Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Steve Ledbetter and Brother David Gamble officiating. Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mr. Bates, who died Tuesday, September 6, 2011, at his residence, was born September 6, 1932, in Lawrence County to William and Madgie McCleskey Bates. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, Amoco retiree, member of Enon Baptist Church and an avid sportsman.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Inez Bates; two sons, Mike Bates and wife, Rhonda, of Huntsville, and Tim Bates and wife, Mandy, of McCalla; two daughters, Debbie Savory and husband, John, and Melanie Matthews and husband, Philip, both of Decatur; one brother, Daniel Bates of Moulton; one sister, Ruth McLemore and husband, Raymon, of Moulton; five grandchildren, Laurie Howell and husband, Matt, Lindsey Wallace and husband, Jonathon, A.J. Matthews, Hannah and Harrison Bates; and two great-grandchildren, Rowen Howell and Ellie Rae Wallace.

Pallbearers will be sons, grandsons and nephews.

Memorials may be made to the ALS Association North Alabama Chapter, 3313 Memorial Parkway SW, Suite No. 100, Huntsville, AL 35801-5315.