MARCH 9 – Leonard Charles “Bud” Bates, 87, formerly of Farmville, passed away Wednesday, March 3, 2010, at Heritage Hall Nursing Home in Blackstone.

He was born April 12, 1922, in Detroit, Michigan, a son of the late Millard Lee and Mae Lillian Hewitt Bates. He was the widower of Catherine Bates and Joan Mullins Bates. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Lillian Hicks of Ontario, Canada, and half-sister, Melva “Doll” Scruggs, of Rice.

He is survived by five children, Ray Bates of Rice, Lillian Coleman of Appomattox, Delilah Matthew of Crewe, Larry Bates of Burkeville, and Lloyd Bates of Farmville; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; two half-brothers, Lee Bates of Keysville and Jack Davis of Napanee, Ontario; two half-sisters, Myrtle Corum of Crewe and Barbara Clute of Napanee; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held Sunday, March 7 at the American Legion Hall in Crewe. The Cremation Society of Virginia served the family.