Ernestine was born in Pelham, Georgia on June 5, 1926. She met the love of her life in Attapulgus, Georgia where they became high school sweethearts. They were married on June 5, 1944 and were devoted to one another for 75 years. She was a homemaker and her family was her greatest joy. She was so proud of them and made sure they knew it. She enjoyed spending time at their place on Lake Seminole and could often be found fishing her favorite fishing holes or sitting on the porch watching the water. She loved having fish fries with family and friends. She was a loving Mom and the best Grandma any child could ask for. She will be missed.
Ernestine is preceded in death by her husband, James Hugh Bates; her parents, Ernest and Janie Gibbs; sister, Betty Cato; son, Leonard Bates; son-in-law, John Templeton; and grandson, Brian McCollum.
Visitation will be Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at 1 p.m. with the funeral service following at 2 p.m. at Lewis Funeral Home, 6405 US-90, Milton, Florida. Pastor Carl Gallups will be officiating. Interment will be Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at Roselawn Memory Gardens, 2646 Thomasville Rd. in Bainbridge, Georgia at 1 p.m.
Ernestine was born in Pelham, Georgia on June 5, 1926. She met the love of her life in Attapulgus, Georgia where they became high school sweethearts. They were married on June 5, 1944 and were devoted to one another for 75 years. She was a homemaker and her family was her greatest joy. She was so proud of them and made sure they knew it. She enjoyed spending time at their place on Lake Seminole and could often be found fishing her favorite fishing holes or sitting on the porch watching the water. She loved having fish fries with family and friends. She was a loving Mom and the best Grandma any child could ask for. She will be missed.
Ernestine is preceded in death by her husband, James Hugh Bates; her parents, Ernest and Janie Gibbs; sister, Betty Cato; son, Leonard Bates; son-in-law, John Templeton; and grandson, Brian McCollum.
Visitation will be Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at 1 p.m. with the funeral service following at 2 p.m. at Lewis Funeral Home, 6405 US-90, Milton, Florida. Pastor Carl Gallups will be officiating. Interment will be Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at Roselawn Memory Gardens, 2646 Thomasville Rd. in Bainbridge, Georgia at 1 p.m.
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