Joseph Henry Bates

COLUMBIA - Services celebrating the life of the Rev. Joseph Henry Bates, 69, will be 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church (Arthurtown), with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. today at Manigault-Hurley Funeral Home, 2229 Two Notch Road.

A son of the late Alfred W. Bates Sr. and Henrietta Stepney Bates, he was born in Columbia and entered into eternal rest on Friday, September 9, 2011, in Heartland of Columbia.

"Joe" received his education at Booker T. Washington High School and received his ministerial training at Allen University. He served the A.M.E. Church for over 30 years, for which he pastored Calvary A.M.E. Church, Leesville, SC, and Hopewell A.M.E. Church in Irmo, SC. His last pastorate was at St. James A.M.E. and St. Mark A.M.E. Church, Pomaria, SC.

He was employed in 1977 at Manigault-Hurley Funeral Home and with the Richland County Coroner's Office. He worked for many years with Pilgrim Health and Life Insurance Company, Virginia Mutual Life Insurance Company and United Insurance Company. He was the founder of Carolina Limousine Service. He was appointed by Maj. John T. Campbell to the Central Midlands Transportation Committee. He was twice a delegate to the Richland County Democratic Convention and was a proud member of the NAACP.

He leaves to cherish his memory: wife, Mary Pugh Bates; daughters, Mamie (Michael) Ervin, Alfreda Bates and Henrika Bates; stepdaughters, Deborah Thomas and Chandra Smith; siblings, William Alfred Bates Jr., Sarah Bates and Manzel Brown; sister-in-law, Elizabeth Bates; grandchildren, Princess Bates, Quinteria Ervin and Tamera Ervin; two stepgrandchildren, Ryan Creech and Wayne Creech; seven great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews, and other loving relatives and friends. www.manigaulthurley.com