Mr. James W. (Tom) Bates, 78, of 65 Community Center Rd., Enoree, SC, entered eternal rest on Monday, January 29,2018 at his home.

Mr. Bates was a native of Laurens County. He was the son of the late Wade Bates and Mary Alice Todd Bates. He was the husband of Bennie Ruth Westfield Bates, of the home.

Mr. Bates was preceded in death by two sister, Margaret Ann Mars and Lillie Williams, three brothers, Luster, Melvin and C. B. Bates. In Addition to his wife, he leaves to cherish his memories; five daughters, Mae Bates of the home, Jeanette Boyd (William) of Greenville, SC, Linda Bates (Alonzo) of Gray Court, SC, Barbara Johnson (Jake) of Fountain Inn, SC and Dorothy Holland (David) of Enoree, SC; two sons, Paul Bates of the home and James A. Bates of Gray Court, SC; one special granddaughter, Laporsha Bates reared in the home, and nine additional grandchildren; fourteen greatgrandchildren; five sisters-in-laws, Minnie Westfield of Laurens, SC, Grace Westfield of Woodruff, SC, Loris Hill of Gray Court, SC, Helen Harris of Laurens, SC, Sarah Woodruff of Waterloo, SC; five brothersin-laws, Algie Westfield of Waterloo, SC, Albert Westfield of Woodruff, SC, Nathaniel Westfield of Gray Court, SC, Benjoe Westfield of Laurens, SC and James Westfield of Gray Court, SC; and host of other relatives and friends.