Anna Mae Bates, 96, of Murphy, passed away Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, at Murphy Rehab & Nursing.
She was the daughter of the late Charlie Parks and Hattie Howard Parks.
She was a homemaker. Anna was a longtime member of Ranger Baptist Church, where she taught adult Sunday school for 37 years, WMU director, church treasurer and helped with vacation Bible school, and all other church functions and activities.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Willard Emerson Bates Sr.; daughter, Joyce Ann Bates; granddaughter, Kimberly Lee Daniels; and brother, Howard Parks.
Anna is survived by her sons, Willard Emerson Bates Jr. and wife Margie, and Richard Bates and wife Peggy; sister, Hazel Morris; grandson, Phillip Bates; and three great-grandchildren.
A graveside service was held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, at Ranger Baptist Church Cemetery. The Rev. Jimmy Hogsed officiated. Ranger Baptist Church deacons served as pallbearers.
The family received friends from 1-2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, at Ranger Baptist Church.
You may send tributes to the Bates family at townson-rose.com.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.