Viola Ellen Bates

Mrs. Viola Ellen Bates, 96, of Lula, died Tuesday April 18, 2017 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center. 

Viola was the daughter of the late John and Mary Octavia Jenkins Baugh.   She was a homemaker, enjoying quilting and gardening.  Viola was a member of Whitehall Baptist Church. 

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Wilbur Bates;  sons, Rev. Carlton Bates and James Michael Bates; great grandson, James Carlton Smith; 4 brothers, Wiley, Ernest, Julian, and Hedley; 2 sisters, Elsie and Louise.

Viola is survived by her daughter, Marie Grindle; daughter and son-in-law, Betty Ann (Junior) Campbell; son, Billy Bates; 11 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild.   A number of nieces, nephews, and friends also survive.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday April 20, 2017 at the chapel of Little and Davenport Funeral Home.  Rev. Melvin Baugh and Rev. Charles Taylor will officiate. Interment will follow in the Whitehall Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Little & Davenport Funeral Home Wednesday April 19, 2017 from 4-8 p.m.

Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com

Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Ga. 30501 is in charge of arrangements.

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