Louis Bates, Sr.

Louis Edward Bates was born in Marengo County, Alabama to the late Joe and Nellie Bales. He was the middle child of three children.

Louis was preceded in death by the love of his life, Mary Carter Bates, on December 8, 2007, his older sister Bertha Triplet of Cleveland, Ohio and a younger brother, James Otis (Love) Bates (Anne) of Gallion, Alabama. Louis went to public school for 10 years and high school for 2 years before he was drafted into the Army of the United States, on March 1, 1944. Louis served his country with pride and honor until he was discharged on November 16, 1946.

Not long after returning home Louis met the woman he would marry. On April 12, 1947 Louis did just that, he married Mary Carter. From that union 8 beautiful children were born. Brenda Joyce Bates Williams (deceased) (Ralph-deceased), Gwendolyn Louise Weatherspoon (James), Gregory Louis Bates, Sanford Bernard Bates (deceased), James Monroe Bates, Louis Edward Bates Jr, Hiawatha Denise Bates, Cedric Tyrone Bates and a daughter in Alabama, Sandra Jean Baker.

Louis moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he found employment on June 8 1948. He worked at Republic Steel for two years before he landed a job with the City of Cleveland. Louis worked as the Ground Maintenance Foreman for 29 years until he retired.

He joined Union Grove Baptist Church in March of 2001 and was baptized by Pastor E.L. Rogers, Sr.

Louis Edward Bates leaves to cherish his memory, his remaining children, grandchildren Valerie Sanders (deceased), Wanda J Blakely (Scooter), Willie J Weatherspoon, Jr. (deceased), Gregory Bates Jr (Camilla), Riccardo Bates (Kim), Latasha Spenser (Kenny), Louis Smith, Lydell Ware, (Lacarra), Terrance Ware, Anthony Smith, Tinisyha Green-Holmes (Kevin), Tesha Carter (Damien), Tina Titus (Mike), Brandi Bates, Rashana Bates, Sheena Bates Lamar (Drico), Greg and Gary Walker, Brandon Bates, Myia Ellington, Ramon and Romero Williams, James Bates and Michael Bates and a host of great and great-great grandchildren, family and friends.