Lottie Bell Bates

Mrs. Lottie Bell Bates, born March 8, 1948, in Prosperity, SC, to the late L.C. Williams and Dorothy Mae Williams, entered into rest on April 25, 2026, at Prisma Health Richland Memorial Hospital.

At an early age she joined Lower Mt. Olive AME Church, where she was active in the Missionary Society and Woman’s Home Aid Society # 23. She was also a longtime member of Rock of Ages Chapter No. 294 of Little Mountain, SC.

Mrs. Lottie was educated in Newberry County, where she met her husband, Claude T. Bates; they were married 57 years. She was employed by Kraft Heinz for 16 years before retiring in 2003.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Carl E. Williams, and her sister, Naomi Mayers. 

She is survived by her sons Eldred (Selina) Bates of Joanna, SC, and Malcolm (Sharon) Bates of Prosperity, SC; daughters Pandora (Zachary) Jones of Newberry, SC, and Fabrienni Bates of Columbia, SC; and a devoted niece, Wanda Toland of Prosperity, SC. Two step daughters, Patricia Houston of Newberry SC and Jewel Simmons of Atlanta GA. Sisters, Annelle W. Glasgow of Little Mountain SC, Ann Odom, and Jennie Foster of Augusta GA, Elaine F. Washington of Charleston SC and brothers, Roger Williams of Prosperity SC and Joseph Foster of Augusta GA. One sister in law, Barbara Ann Bates of Prosperity SC. She also leaves to cherish her memory twenty one grandchildren and twenty one great-grandchildren and devoted granddaughter Mercedes Praylow and a devoted grandson Kendrick Gilliam, a host of nieces and nephews.  Her faith, family, and service to her church and community will be fondly remembered.

Visitation will be held 1:30-5pm April 28, 2026 Wilson Funeral Home Newberry, SC.

Funeral services will be conducted 2pm Wednesday April 29, 2026, Lower Mt. Olive AME Church Prosperity, SC.

Interment will follow in the Church Yard Cemetery.

Wilson Funeral Home is honored to assist the Bates family.

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