Charles "Buddy" Bates

Buddy was born on August 20, 1935, to Acie and Eunice Bates in Gadsden, Alabama. He graduated from Gadsden High School and Jacksonville State University, where he met his wife Cora Gwendolyn “Gwynn” Strickland. They started their new life together on June 27, 1958. After a brief military career, which led them to Fort Sill, Oklahoma and Giesen, Germany, Buddy was honorably discharged from the Army as Captain, settling in Albany, Georgia. There they added to their family a son (Barry) and daughter (Brenda). He worked as an Insurance Advisor, which led the family to Savannah, Georgia, and soon a second son (Brian) joined the young family. Finally moving back home to Alabama to be closer to family, they settled in Birmingham, living on Hillard Drive in Cahaba Heights for 47 years. In Birmingham, he found his niche as a salesman in specialty advertising working for Headway and EBSCO Media.

Buddy was a lifelong Auburn fan who for more than 30 years spent fall Saturdays in Section 31 of Jordan-Hare Stadium, surrounded by family and friends. He also was a proud supporter of Cahaba Heights and Shades Valley High School Athletics in many roles, and especially he was a fixture at any and all events involving his grandchildren. Over the years, Buddy was a faithful member of Homewood Church of Christ and Riverchase Church of Christ. Along their life journey, he and Gwynn made many friends that are truly like family.

Buddy was preceded in death by his parents, Acie N. Bates and Eunice McDowell Bates; his brother, Bob Bates (Pat); mother-in-law and father-in-law, Eugene and Viola Strickland; brothers-in-law, Dr. Lyldon Strickland (Martha Jean) and Dr. Chalmus Strickland.

He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Gwynn; children Barry (Marion “Sisty”) Bates of Chattanooga, TN, Brenda (Paul) Trunec of McCalla, AL, and Brian (Christie) Bates of Titus, AL; ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Dr. Joe Strickland (Gail) and sister-in-law Diane Strickland of Huntsville, AL, and many nieces and nephews.

A special thank you to the staff at Plantation Manor in McCalla, AL, Buddy’s home for the past two and a half years, and the staff of Journey Hospice for giving him care and comfort over his last days. Lastly, a big thank you to Dr. Michael Burch for all he did for Buddy and the Bates family. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Funeral Arrangements by Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham, AL.

Visitation at Riverchase Church of Christ on Monday, June 3 from 10:30 am to 12:00 Noon, with a service following at 12:00 Noon.