Mrs. Bennie Ruth Bates, 78, of 65 Community Center Road, Enoree, South Carolina was born on February 25, 1941 in Laurens County, South Carolina to the late Benjamin Westfield, Sr. and May Lizzie Lindsey Westfield.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James W. Bates; three sisters, Shirley Wimphrie, Lillie Dillard, and Mammie Harris; one brother, Benjamin Westfield, Jr.; five brothers-in-law, Melvin Bates, C. B. Bates, Luster Bates,Deroy Mack, and John Harris; three sisters-in-law, Lucille Garrett, Margaret Mars, and Lillie Williams. On April 18, 2019, Mrs. Bates departed this life at Greenville Memorial Hospital in Greenville, South Carolina.

She leaves to cherish her fond loving memories five daughters, Mae Bates of the home, Jeanette (William) Boyd of Greenville, SC, Linda (Alonzo) Bates of Gray Court, SC, Barbara Johnson of Fountain Inn, SC, and Dorothy Holland of Enoree, SC; two sons, James Bates of Gray Court and Paul Bates of the home; three sisters, Lois Hill of Gray Court, SC, Sarah Woodruff of Waterloo, SC, and Helen Harris of Laurens, SC; five brothers, Albert Westfield of Woodruff, SC, Algie Westfield of Waterloo, SC, Nathaniel Westfield of Gray Court, SC, Ben Joe Westfield and James Westfield both of Laurens, SC; nine grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, Ruby Parks of Laurens, SC, Mildred (Johnnie) Mack of Enoree, SC, and Gennell Briggs of NY, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.