Joan Bates, 78, of Douglas, Georgia, died Friday, November 9, 2018, at Candler Hospital in Savannah, Georgia.
Memorial services will be held 2 PM, Monday, November 12, 2018, at Spring Hill Primitive Baptist Church in Irwin County, with Elder Harold Roberts officiating. Interment will be private.
Mrs. Bates was born December 30, 1939, in Coffee County, Georgia, to the late Ernest & Ruby Lee Fortune Kitchens. She worked for the Marion County, Florida Tag Office for many years. After returning to Douglas, she worked as a sales clerk at B.C. Moore’s and Norris Shoes. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mrs. Bates loved to shop, draw, and cook. She was an avid flower gardener and spent lots of time working in her yard. She was of the Baptist faith.
She is survived by her companion of 28 years, Tony Sanders of Douglas; two daughters: Lisa Harper & Wilbur of Ocilla and Kayla Lott & Bill Rigdon of Fitzgerald; five grandchildren: Jason Harper & Emily, Jennifer Howell & Scott, Brooke Tank & Tripp, Kason Lott & Casey, and Grace Zeigler; twelve great-grandchildren: Caleb Howell, Carter Howell, Carson Howell, Brantley Harper, Aubrey Harper, Gabby Harper, Declan Tank, Everett Tank, Kinley Lott, Hannah Zeigler, Darian Zeigler, and Watson Zeigler; three sisters: Katherine Key of Douglas, LaWanda Pickett of Warner Robins, and Glenda Jones of Hawkinsville; a sister-in-law, Lynn Kitchens of Douglas; and a brother-in-law, John Ed Russ of Cordele. Several nieces and nephews also survive. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Jean Russ and a brother, Chris Kitchens.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials may send them to Shriners Hospitals for Children, c/o Hasan Shrine, 1822 Palmyra Road, Albany GA 31701 or to the American Cancer Society, 804 Cherry Street, Suite A, Macon, GA 31201.