Rev George Terrell Bates

Reverend George Terrell Bates was born to the late Gladys Smith Bates Miller and Cleophus Bates on September 18, 1946. During his childhood, he accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and was baptized at Greater Thankful Baptist Church. It was there that the earliest seeds of his preaching and teaching ministry were planted. Rev. Bates matriculated through Calhoun County Training School where he graduated in the class of 1964. He spent his post-secondary years at Morristown Junior College and Tennessee State University, earning a bachelor's degree in 1968. After graduating from TSU, he began his career as an educator. He taught at Cobb High School, Anniston High School, Coosa Valley Detention Center, New World Business College, and Malcolm X Junior College in Chicago, IL, where he hosted a local television show and was named Kiwanis Man of the Year. Throughout his years in education, he earned a reputation as a fierce protector of his students and a disrupter of oppressive systems. His passion for teaching did not end in the classroom; it was evident in his preaching style as well. Rev. Bates was a teaching-preacher, and as he pursued theological studies at Interdenominational Theological Center (Morehouse) and Candler School of Theology (Emory), he pastored Grace Lutheran Church where he remained for 16 years. There, he met and wed Cathryn Denise Bradford, and to this union three children were born. Rev. Bates was a member of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorage of Rev. W. S. Fields for a number of years until he was called to pastor and serve at Mars Hill Missionary Baptist Church in 1998. Years later, he founded a small ministry called Holy Commission Non-Denominational Church where an emphasis was placed on teaching the gospel and helping those in need. After some time, Rev. Bates began worshiping at Rocky Mount Baptist Church where he was an assistant minister under Pastor Stevie Houston. In 2019, he rejoined Bethel Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorage of Dr. Walter L. Solomon. Rev. Bates was a strong advocate for the community, serving on the Anniston Civil Service Board for 17 years where he was president for several. He was an avid writer, a lover of journalism, speech and drama, and a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (Theta Tau initiate). Rev. Bates was preceded in death by his parents Cleophus Bates and Gladys Miller, and sisters Jacqueline Kirklin, Milton Ann Hall, and Paulette Miller. He is survived by his devoted wife of 41 years, Cathryn Bates, who cared for him diligently during his final years; three children, Jonathan (Shaniece) Bates of Stockbridge, GA, Jocelyn Bates of Anniston, AL, and Janine Bates of Brookhaven, GA; one sister, Evangelist Sonnie Evans of Anniston, AL; three grandchildren, Jaylen, Kennedi, and Aidan Bates; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

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Rev George Terrell Bates

September 18, 1946 - December 23, 2023