Mrs. Cheri Pool Bates, age 85 of Lanett, Alabama, passed away peacefully Sunday, September 7, 2025. Mrs. Bates was born November 25, 1939 in Atlanta, GA to the late William F. Spear and Theda "Billie" Pool. Mrs. Bates attended and graduated from Lanett High School.

Cheri Pool wed Marshall Bates in August, 1969, in Boca Raton, FL, and was employed with various companies in Florida and Georgia before moving to Dexter, Michigan and working for Dexter High School for many years as the Principal's Secretary. Mr. & Mrs. Bates moved back to Lanett, Alabama in 2000 to be close to Mrs. Bates' family and to care for her mother.

Mrs. Bates is remembered by many for being "one of the kindest humans", "a sweet sweet lady", "every kid there (DHS) was her child" and for over fifty years, was well known for her portrayal of Mrs. Claus along-side Mr. Bates' portrayal of Santa Claus in many town parades and schools.

Cheri Pool Bates is survived by her children: Warren (Melanie) Bates, Richmond, TX; Theda (Matthew) Joffe, Ann Arbor, MI; Nellann (Phillip) Johnson, West Point, GA; grandchildren: Megan (Tyler) Baez, Evan (Heavyn) Johnson, Garret (Samantha) Bates, Elizabeth Joffe, Reid Johnson, Tate Johnson, Victoria Joffe, and Catherine Joffe; Great Grand-Children: Louella and Adalynn Johnson; brothers Kelly (Jennie) Pool, and Tracy Pool, both of Birmingham, AL and sister Norma Answorth of Lanett, AL. Cheri is preceded in death by her husband, Marshall Bates, her son, Audie (Tammy) Milner, LaFollette, TN and her mother Mrs. Theda "Billie" Pool of Lanett, AL, and fathers Charlie D. Pool, Lanett, AL and William F. Spear, Lanett, AL

The family will greet friends for a Celebration of Life at Lanett First United Methodist Church on Monday, October 13, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Chattahoochee Hospice Inc., 6 Medical Park, Valley, AL 36854 or your local Hospice Center in memory of Marshall & Cheri Bates

Donny Erwin-Brown will officiate.

Services have been entrusted to Valley Point Funeral Services, Lanett, Alabama.