Ruth Bates

Mrs. Nettie Ruth Bates, age 79, of Macclenny, Florida died Monday, April 25, in the Frank Wells Nursing Home, Macclenny, Florida following an extended illness. Mrs. Bates was born in Moniac, Georgia and resided in Macclenny, Florida most of her life. She was a longtime employee of the Citizens Bank of Macclenny and a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Macclenny, Florida. She was a graduate of St. George High School and school valedictorian and voted most athletic. She was a longtime student of the Bible and loved teaching. She was a Lady of grace-handling the adversity, with faith, family, brilliant, kind and loving introspective.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilmer Ivan Bates and her parents, Enoch and Ruby Raulerson  Burnsed. She is survived by her daughter, Sondra (Tim) Nobles; her son, Eric (Sherrie) Raulerson; step-son, Greg (Donna) Bates; step-daughter, Wendy Bates; grandchildren, Erica (Austin) Pride, Kailee (Josh) Trippett, Elizabeth (Nick) Ward, Joshua Nobles, Hannah Nobles, Lydia Nobles and Aaron Nobles; great-grandchildren, Anistyn, Harbor, Obed and Davis; step-grandchildren, Taylor and Parker. A funeral service to honor the life of Mrs. Bates will be held at 11 A.M. Wednesday, April 27, in the First Baptist Church, Macclenny, Florida with Rev. John Schultz officiating. Interment will be held at 10 A.M. Thursday, April 28, in the Jacksonville National Cemetery, Jacksonville, Florida. Visitation and gathering with the family will be from 10 to 11 A.M. Wednesday (One hour before services) at the church, GUERRY FUNERAL HOME, U.S. Highway 90 East, Macclenny, Florida is in charge of arrangements.