Funeral services for Linda Jowers Bates, 82, of Williston, SC will be held three o’clock p.m., Sunday, October 28, 2018 at Williston First Baptist Church with Dr. David Richardson and Reverend Floyd Dukes officiating; burial will be in the Williston Cemetery. The family will receive friends from six to eight o’clock p.m., Saturday at Folk Funeral Home, Williston, SC. Pallbearers will be Robert Bates, Jr., Chris Burt, Joey Greene, John Robert Ingram, Lloyd Morgan and Tom Smith. Honorary Pallbearers will be Gary Bell, Melvyn Boyleston, David Dandridge, Glenn Davis, Donald Grice, Jerry Hair, Dr. Martin James, Randy Lambert, George Wythe Powell, and Clifton Rodgers. Memorial contributions may be given to Williston First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 366, Williston, SC 29853. Linda passed away at Pepperhill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Wednesday, October 24, 2018.
Born in Williston, SC, she was the youngest daughter of the late Talbert Joseph Jowers, Sr. and Lizzie Estelle Hair Jowers. She was a Williston-Elko High School graduate, attended Girl’s State and was in the Beta Club. She was a member of Williston First Baptist Church. Linda was musically talented, she played the organ by ear; she enjoyed singing in the church choir, at weddings, funerals and other civic and cultural events. She retired as church secretary having worked at the church for 20 years. Linda also worked as a nurse for Dr. Aubrey D. Gantt, as a secretary for the Atomic Energy Commission at the Savannah River Plant and was a member of the Magnolia Garden Club. Linda was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother; she took great pride and pleasure in cooking for her family.
Survivors include her loving husband of 60 years Bruce Oneal Bates; sons Gregg (Stephanie Owens) Bates, Roger (Roxanne) Bates; granddaughters Gabrielle and Madison Bates; a number of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by all of her siblings, sisters Talula Bennett, Elizabeth Boyleston, Helen Green, Syble Greene; brothers Quinby Jowers, Robert Jowers, Tollie Jowers, Marvin Jowers and T. J. Jowers, Jr.
The family would like to thank Lucille Bing for her kindness and willingness to help Linda for over 35 years and also a heartfelt thank you to Melessia Bodiford for her love and care shown to Linda over the past few years.