George Oliver Bates Sr.

Our beloved father, George Oliver Bates Sr. was born on August 19, 1937 to the late Whalen Bates Sr. and Ellen Bates in Richmond, Virginia. He departed this life on August 6, 2020 to begin a new life in the presence of the Lord. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age and was a member of Moore Street Baptist Church. He later became an active member of New Bridge Baptist with his wife and children. George grew up in the Uptown area near Moore Street Baptist Church with his siblings Whalen, Grace, and Leroy. The “Bates Brothers” were known to be handsome, smart and stylish men. George graduated from Maggie L. Walker High School. He received his professional education from Virginia Union University and later went to business school at the University of Richmond. He pledged Phi Beta Sigma at VUU. George and a few of his fraternity brothers founded the Regulars Social Club in Richmond. George was one of the first Black Firefighters in Henrico County, and he was the first Henrico County Firefighter with a college degree. During his service, he took pride in his calling and always exhibited the values of professionalism, respect, integrity, dedication and empathy. Later, he became a Lieutenant and retired after 28 years of service. He was a committed member of the Black Firefighter Association and a mentor to many of the rookie firefighters. George joined in holy matrimony and married the love of his life, Jean A. Spratley, his beloved that he adored. They were blessed with two loving children George Jr. and Michele. He was a humble man with a great sense of humor. George was very loving, fun, and loyal to his family and friends. He could fix anything around the house and was the dependable person that family and neighbors called if they needed anything. He enjoyed eating out at great restaurants, reading, and movies. He was known to have an immaculate and well-manicured lawn and flower gardens. The pride and joy of his life was being a grandfather. George was known as “PaPa”. After retirement, he enjoyed fishing, brotherhood activities in his fraternity, watching his oldest grandson play baseball, and spending quality time with his other grandchildren, family and friends. George was preceded in death by his wife, Jean A. Bates; brother, Whalen Bates Jr.; sister, Grace Christmas and brother-in-law, James Christmas, Sr. He leaves to cherish his memory: son and daughter, George Bates Jr. (Iris) and Michele Powell (Theron Sr.); four grand-children, Theron Powell II, Emanuel J. Sanchez, Derek Powell and Genesis A. Bates; brother, Leroy Bates; god-brother, Wortham Tinsley; four sisters-in-law, Margaret Bates, Joyce Bates, Ann Ruff, and Kathy Davis; two brothers-in-law, Joseph Spratley, Jr. and Dan Davis; devoted friends, William Leabough and Jeff Shelton; a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great nieces, other relatives and friends.

Tributes

George Oliver Bates Sr.

August 19, 1937 - August 6, 2020