Ray Bates (3-28-12)

HOSCHTON - Ray Bates, 79, died Wednesday, March 28, 2012.

A native of Clermont, Georgia, he was the son of the late Marion and Gladys Harkins Bates. He was preceded in death by his wife, Viola Summers Bates. Mr. Bates was a United States Army Veteran and a member of Concord Baptist Church in Clermont. He was a retired diesel mechanic with Blalock Transport.

Survivors include his companion, Mildred Barnes, Hoschton; son, Rodney Bates, Lawrenceville; daughter, Brenda Thomason, Maysville; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a brother, Donald Bates, Cleveland.

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 30, at 2 p.m. from the chapel of Carter Funeral Home, with the Rev. Gary Pittman officiating. Burial will be in Walnut Fork Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday, March 29, from 5 to 8 p.m.

Carter Funeral Home, Winder, was in charge of arrangements.