Dave Edward Bates, 68 (Retired Command Sergeant Major,United States Army), the youngest of three sons and a daughter born to the late Robert Bates, Sr. and Annie Culpepper Bates, was born in Fulton, Alabama on May 26, 1938. He departed this life on Thursday, December 21, 2006.
Dave served as a soldier in the United States Army for over 30 years. He served two tours in the Vietnam War, and was the recipient of the Purple Heart Award for injuries he sustained during one of those tours. He was also the recipient of numerous other awards and ribbons throughout his distinguished military career. He also served tours both abroad and in the United States, having retired as a Command Sergeant Major in 1986 and making El Paso, Texas, his permanent home.
During his early childhood he was destined to be a servant of the Lord and to minister to others as he began Bible teaching at Spencer Chapel A.M.E. Church in Fulton. While serving active duty in the Army he became a member of Smyrna Seventh-Day Adventist Church in 1979. He served faithfully with commitment to his church and God as a member of the Eldership, Sabbath School Teaching, and the Outreach Ministry (such as the Rescue Mission), in addition to several other ministries in the church.
Survived by his wife, Frances B. Bates: his two daughters, Cheryl Mavritte and Crystal Bates; his only grandchild, Jasmine Mavritte and Manuel Pena (who he considered his son).
He is also survived by one sister Lorene Bates Kemp; one brother Willie Bee Bates; one son-in-law Brett E. Mavritte, nine sister-inlaws, ten brothers-in-law, two Godchildren, Michael Atkins Jr. and Chloe Garcia, one niece Theresa Ridgeway, two nephews Robert Bates, III and Kevin Bates, two very dear friends Ruby Brown and Lucinda Hines, several great-nieces and nephews, many dear cousins and a host of other relatives and friends. His brother Robert Hines, Jr. preceded him in death.
Interment was January 23, 2006 at 1500 hours (3 p.m.) in Arlington National Cemetery.
BATES, DAVE EDWARD
SGM US ARMY
VIETNAM
DATE OF BIRTH: 05/26/1938
DATE OF DEATH: 12/21/2006
BURIED AT: SECTION 66 SITE 179-11
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.
Reviewed by: Michael Howard