Flavis E BatesJr

Flavis E. (F.E.) Bates, Jr., age 79, a resident of Cleveland, passed away, Friday, January 05, 2007 at his home. He was of the Baptist faith. He was formerly employed by BellSouth and Cleveland Ready Mix. Mr. Bates served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a member of the American Legion Post 81. He was preceded in death by his parents, Flavis and Burtie Lewis Bates, Sr.; three brothers and three sisters; his son, Dale Bates and his first wife, Opal Hall Bates. He is survived by his wife, Edith Bates of Cleveland, five step-children: Jessie Payne, Donna Chastain, Michael Payne and Alvin Calhoun all of Cleveland and Dana Tofangsazan of Freemont, CA; ten grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; two sisters: Nell Smith of Ducktown and Wilma Hawkins and husband, Burt of Cleveland; one brother, J.P. Bates and wife, Lois of Benton; sisters-in-law, Duvelle Bates, Doris Bates, Fannie Ledford, Marie Burns and Claudia Hedden; brothers-in-law: Edmon Shelton, Zeak Shelton and James Shelton and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Sunday in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral with Reverend James Castello officiating. Interment will follow in Zion Cemetery in Polk County with military honors. His family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.