Harlon Lee Bates, Jr., of Smithville, age 75 passed away Monday June 16, 2025, at St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital. He was born August 12, 1949, to his parents the late Harlon Lee and Maudie Rene Bates, Sr., In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Frances Bates; 2 children, Chris and Jason Bates, half-brothers, Allen Myrtle Bates and Homer Bates; half-sister, Thelma Jean Brazier. Mr. Bates was a member of Pomeroy Chapel Church and worked at Carrier Corporation for 37 years. Funeral services will be Friday June 20, 2025, at DeKalb Funeral Chapel at 12:Noon, with Bro. Donnie Kelly and Bro. Bryan Jones officiating with burial to follow in DeKalb Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday June 19, 2025, 2 PM till 7 PM and on Friday June 20, 2025, 10:AM until the time of the service at 12:Noon. He is survived by children, Jeffery Lee Bates of Smithville, and Carol (Curt) Morse of Sparta and 3 stepchildren; grandchildren, Brian (Samantha) Bates, Kalene Farley, Megan and Curt Morse, Jr.; great-grandchild, Kayden Bates; numerous step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren also survive; sisters, Ann Pinegar, Cathy Edge, Lou (Eddie) Stanley. In lieu to flowers the family ask donations to be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Memory of Mr. Bates. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Bates Family.
