Larry Marlin Bates, Sr. 79, of Henderson passed away March 25, 2026, at his home. Funeral services were 11 a.m. Monday, March 30, at Shackelford Funeral Director - Crook Avenue Chapel with burial in Anderson Bend Cemetery. The family received friends at Crook Avenue Chapel from 5-8 p.m. on Sunday, March 29.
He was born June 12, 1946, Anderson Bend in Hickman County and raised in Chicago, the son of the late Francis Harell and Mattie America Wiley Bates.
He married Cheryl Ann Bates on Sept. 14, 1968, in Elgin, Ill., and they moved to Tennessee in 1980. Cheryl preceded him in death on Aug. 19, 2012.
He was a truck driver for 56 years. He was a great father, grandfather and brother.
He grew up in a loving family, was an avid family man and was the fun “Uncle Larry” to his many nieces and nephews. A favorite memory for many of them was the times he dressed up as the Easter Bunny.
He enjoyed NASCAR, casinos, horseracing and Cubs baseball. His favorite expression when traveling down the road and talking on the phone was to say that he was, “Lookin’ at the world through a windshield.”
He is survived by his wife, Jackie Sue Crowe Bates of Bethel Springs; a daughter Rebecca Catherine Bates (Mari) of Henderson; two sons, Larry Marlin (Tabatha) Bates, Jr. of Thompson Station and Jason Harvill (Samantha) Bates of Medina; five grandchildren, Dylan (Dana) Bates, Hayle (James) Isaacs, Gracie Cupples, Kyle Cupples and Elijah Bates; one great-grandchild, Jud Isaacs; two sisters, Barbara Richardson of Corinth, Miss., and Elizabeth Antelek of West Chester, Ill.; a sister-in-law, Eva Bates of Henderson; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife; three brothers, Wallace, Jimmy and Jackie Bates; and a sister Sara Marcelles.
