Anita Marie Bates

Anita was born on September 25, 1940 in Louisville, KY, one of ten children born to Henry and Dorothy Frye Gathof. She was a longtime Assistant Manager for Wal-Mart Stores. She was also a communicant of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Benjamin Bates, Sr.; her son, Ronnie Bates; and her siblings, Ronald Gathof, Bill Gathof, and Buddy Gathof.

She is survived by her children, Sheila Bates Rinks (Randal) of Bethel Springs, TN and Benjamin Bates, Jr. “BJ” (Stephanie) of Jackson; her daughter-in-law, Pam Bates; grandchildren, Zachary Rinks, Matt Rinks, Megan Rinks, Heather Bates, Amy Davis, Pamela Bates, Callie Bates, and Carley Bates; one great grandchild, Blake Davis; her siblings, Pam Schroder, Dorothy Lockhart, Rhonda Divine, Monica Bosch, Ricky Gathof, and Larry Gathof; her sister in law, Betsy Patterson; and her brother in law, William “Bill” Bates.

The service to celebrate the life of Anita Bates will be held at 1:00 pm on Monday, May 20, 2024 at the North Chapel of George A. Smith and Sons. The family will begin receiving friends at 12 p.m., one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Highland Memorial Gardens.