Mr. Marshall Lee Bates, age 79 of Lanett, Alabama, passed away Sunday, November 28, 2021. Mr. Bates was born February 26, 1942 in St. Joseph, Missouri to the late Willis C. Bates and Marjorie C. Bates. Mr. Bates attended and graduated from Winter Haven (FL) High School. He also attended Polk Community College and the University of South Florida.

Mr. Bates wed Cheri Pool in August, 1969, in Boca Raton, FL, and was employed with various companies in the Information Technology field until his retirement in 2002. He served in the United States Navy and Reserve from 1959-1964 with an assignment from 1960-1962 on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Forrestal. While a resident of Stone Mountain, GA, he was a member of the Peachtree Chorus and continued his vocal talents in various church choirs.

Mr. Bates was an active leader in both the Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts of America. In addition, he was an involved member of the Lanett First United Methodist Church where he was in the Men's Club and served as the coordinator of the Wonderful Wednesday Children's Ministry. His other church duties included Sunday school teacher as well as a Lay-Minister with an assignment at Standing Rock UMC. For over fifty years, Mr. Bates was well known for his portrayal of Santa Claus in many town parades and schools.

Marshall L. Bates is survived by wife Cheri Pool Bates; children: Audie (Tammy) Milner, LaFollette, TN; Warren (Melanie) Bates, Richmond, TX; Theda (Matthew) Joffe, Ann Arbor, MI; Nellann (Phillip) Johnson, West Point, GA; grandchildren: Megan (Tyler) Baez, Evan Johnson, Garret Bates, Elizabeth Joffe, Reid Johnson, Tate Johnson, Victoria Joffe, and Catherine Joffe; brothers-in-law: Kelly Pool, and Tracy Pool, both of Birmingham, AL. Marshall was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Billy Gene Bates and Stanley Richard Bates of Tyler, TX and his mother-in-law Mrs. Billie Pool of Lanett, AL.

The family will greet friends for visitation at Lanett First United Methodist Church on Saturday December 4, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. at the church following visitation. Memorial donations may be made to Interfaith Food Closet of Valley AL.

Reverend Rusty Williams will officiate.

Services have been entrusted to Bluffton Funeral Services, Lanett, Alabama.