Carroll Keith Bates

Carroll Keith Bates died Tuesday, October 30 at his home.

Visitation will be Friday, November 2 from 6-8 pm. at Thompson Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Saturday, November 3 at 2 pm. at Thompson Funeral Home with the Reverend Wayne Reeves officiating. Burial will follow at St. George Baptist Church cemetery. Serving as Pallbearer are Steven Hughes, Dillion Gaskins, Jeff Hardee, Levon Hardee, Chris Jones, Johnny Pippin and Cody Perian. Honorary pallbearers will be the St. George Baptist Church Senior Adult Men Sunday School Class.

Friends may call at the home, at the funeral home or send online condolences at www.thompsonfh.net.

Keith was born March 18, 1930, to Shellie Bates and Annie Mae Garrick.   He was a lifelong member of St. George Baptist Church, where he served as secretary of his Sunday school class. He retired from Pepsi Cola Bottling Company and American Yard Products. Keith loved his family, his church, hunting and fishing. He had a flair for creating beautiful flower gardens and a passion for planting and harvesting his own crops to share with friends and family. Keith was predeceased by his brother, Arnold Bates.

Keith is survived by his wife of 30 years, Betty Bates; son Kenny (Filicia) Bates; daughter Peggy (John) Schofield; son Eddie (Jessica) Hewitt; daughters Pamela (Hank) Hughes and Teresa (Earl) Dukes. He leaves to cherish his memory, his grandchildren, Austin (Allen) Woodall, Courtney Martin, Alex Bates, Dillon and Shawn Gaskins, Steven Hughes, Magan (Cody) Perian, Robbie and Brandon Hewitt, Michael, Maranda and Amanda Dukes; Hunter Steedly and Kinsley Hewitt; and eight great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. George Baptist Church, 2590 Shillings Bridge Road, Orangeburg, SC. 29115.

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