Mr. Paul J. Bates, age 93, of Taft, Tennessee passed away Wednesday, July 31, 2024. He was a member of Taft Church of Christ.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Shelby & Lila Bates; His wife of 63 years, Thelma Bates; Sisters, Evelyn Rozell, and Lillian Gertude Quick; Brothers, Roy Sherman Bates, Thomas Glenn Bates and David Ray Bates.

He is survived by, son, Charles E. Bates; daughters, Barbara (Dean) Salisbury and Paula Koch; grandchildren, Michael Bates, Allen Koch and Jana Koch; great-grandchildren, Hunter and Parker; siblings, Claudia Moran, Jenell Tucker, Jimmie Bates, Jeff Bates, Dora Warren, Hollis Neuman “Sonny” Bates, and Mary Alice Smith.

The family will receive friends on Friday, August 2, 2024, from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Higgins Funeral Home, Fayetteville, Tennessee.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 pm at Higgins Funeral Home in Fayetteville, Tennessee on Saturday, August 3, 2024, with Chaplain Charles E. Bates officiating. A burial will follow the service at Blanche Cemetery, Blanche Tennessee. 

Higgins Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Paul J. Bates.