Elijah Demetrius Bates

On December 26, 2021, Elijah Demetrius Bates, of Cobbs Creek, Virginia, and a sophomore at Mathews High School, died unexpectedly in Culpeper, Virginia. Elijah was on the track team and loved to play basketball; however, his family was always first. He was a health-conscious young man and made sure to stay in shape. Biological father Ryan A. Smith, paternal grandfather George A. Smith, and his maternal grandfather, Carlton C. Hughes, preceded Elijah in death. His mother Maria Hughes, earthly father Wendell Elijah Bates, sisters Chasity Hearn & Yasmine Newton, grandparents Delphia Ferguson (Mark), Dyretta Bates, Cassandra Kelly, Uncle Carlos Hughes, Aunt Jordan A. Smith, and a host of cousins, great-uncles, and great-aunts survive him. On Wednesday, January 5, 2022, at 11:00 am, the family will receive friends in Newington Baptist Church, 6169 Main Street, Gloucester, Virginia 23061. The funeral service will begin at noon, officiated by Reverend Eric Robinson, and Eulogy by Minister Wesley Cropp, followed by interment at Ebenezer Baptist Church Cemetery, 3061 Buckley Hall Road, Cobbs Creek. Following the burial, the family will gather for fellowship at the Piankatank Ruritan Club, 7138 Buckley Hall Road, Hudgins, VA 23076. Due to immediate family health issues, everyone in the church must wear a mask. Services under the direction of Hogg Funeral Home.