Lonnie Wayne Cates

Mr. Lonnie Wayne “Runt” Cates, age 66, a resident of Columbia, passed away Friday evening, July 24, 2020 at St. Thomas West Hospital.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, July 28, 2020 at 2PM at Heritage Funeral Home with Rick Points officiating. Burial will follow in Pisgah Ridge Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Monday, July 27, 2020 from 4-8 PM at the funeral home. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Born on March 6, 1954 in Hohenwald, Lonnie was the son of the late Charlie Cates and the late Odessa McNabb Cates. He married Teresa Mooningham in 1973 and was the owner of Cate’s Drywall for fifty years. He was a hard worker who enjoyed fishing, hunting and racing. He was an avid Atlanta Braves fan.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sons: Ricky Wayne Cates of Columbia, Lonnie Dale Cates of Lewisburg, Robert Wayne (Angie) Cates of Tullahoma; brothers: Elbert (Penny) Cates of Columbia, Alex (Angela) Cates of Columbia, Edward (Judy) Cates of Lewisburg, Jimmy Cates of Alabama, Glenn (Tammy) Cates of Hampshire, George Cates of Columbia; sister, Amy Dunnivant of Summertown; fourteen grandchildren; four great grandchildren; lifelong friend, Rickey Taylor, Sr. of Santa Fe; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be: Savon Tears, Jonathan Kelley, William Wayne Kelley, Kenneth Damm, B.J. Cates, Blake Lyttle, Kameron Cates and Kaeden Cates.