Birch B. Bates Sr., 74, of Benton, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, Sept. 23, 2011.

He was a retired machinist with Foote-Jones of Downers Grove, Ill. He lived in Chicago for 36 years, returning back to Polk County in 1993. He was a member of Zion Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ira Alvin and Velma Haskins Bates; and brothers, Walter Ira Bates and Elton Ludie “E.L.” Bates.

He is survived by his wife, Leona Bates, of Benton; sons, Burch Bates and wife, Monica, and Paul Bates, all of Benton; daughters: Selena Moses and husband, Ronnie, of Benton and Leslie Patrey and husband, Bob, of Aurora, Ill.; grandchildren: Katie, Jaime, Josie, Jenny and Birch Bates, Rachel and Rebecca Moses and Jory, Jacob and Shelby Patrey; sisters: Martha Headrick and husband, Jimmie, and Mary Campbell and husband, Johnny, all of Benton and Margaret Rogers and husband, Sam, of Knoxville; brothers: Alvin Bates and wife, Jackie, of Douglasville, Ga. and Ralph Bates and wife, Margaret, and David Bates, all of Benton.

The funeral will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2011, in the chapel of Higgins Funeral Home with the Rev. Jackie Martin officiating. A private burial will be held later.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home prior to the service.

The family requests that memorials be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 7625 Hamilton Park Drive, Ste. 8, Chattanooga, TN 37421.

You are invited to send a message of condolence and view the Bates family guest book at www.higginsfuneral.com.