Herman William Bates Jr.

Herman June 19, 1952 - William Bates Jr. May 8, 2023 BATES, Herman William Jr.,71, departed this life at his home in Portsmouth, Virginia on May 8, 2023.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman William Bates Sr., and Doris Brame Bates.

Surviving are his sister, Jewel Bates Mitchell, nephew, Maurice Mitchell, niece, Valerie Mitchell Spain (Keith), grandnephew Marcus Mitchell, grandnieces, Ciara Stephenson, Adrienne Mitchell, Destiny Mitchell and Ajeya Dixon; great-grandnephews, Kason Mitchell, Skylar Edwards; great-grandniece, Soryn Barth; cousins, Heywood Thompson (Earlyne), Renee Thompson, Percy Mitchell (Jill), Angela Brame, April Brame Hawkes (Clarence Sr), and Clarence Hawkes III, also a host of friends and neighbors.

Herman grew up in Richmond, attending Van de Vyver School and St. Joseph's Catholic Church until its closing then attended Richmond Public Schools and graduated from John Marshall High School.

He graduated from VCU earning a bachelor's and master's degree in psychology. After moving to Portsmouth, he used his knowledge as a Disability Advocate in the Tidewater area and other areas on the east coast. He will be remembered for his love of music, art, and antiques.

The Mass of Resurrection will be held at St. Paul's Catholic Church, 522 High St., Portsmouth, VA., June 26, at 11am with visitation 10-11am.

A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Paul's Catholic Church, 909 Rennie Ave., Richmond, VA., July 1, at 11am.

Inurnment will be at the columbarium following this service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Oasis Social Ministry, 800A Williamsburg Ave. Portsmouth, VA. 23704, the VCU Massey Cancer Center, 401 College St., Richmond, VA 23298, or other charity of your choice.