Henry Bates, a native of Sumter County and resident of Jackson, died in a Mobile hospital on Nov. 23, 2008, at the age of 79. He was a retired tugboat captain for Midland Towing Company, a member of McCann's United Methodist Church and Santa Fe Lodge No. 226.

Survivors include his wife, Doris M. Bates of Jackson; two sons, Hank Bates and Jonathan Brett Bates, both of Jackson; one daughter, Sandra (Tony) McClinton of Jackson; two brothers, Joseph Bates of Plantersville and James Bates of Anniston; one sister, Johnnie Mary Wallace of Pelham; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were Nov. 25 in the chapel of Lathan Funeral Home of Jackson with the Rev. Joe McKinney officiating. Interment was in the Trinity Memorial Gardens in Jackson.