Marjorie Violet Bates

Marjorie Violet Thompson Bates, age 86, a resident of Columbia, passed away Monday, October 4, 2021, at Maury Regional Medical Center.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 9, 2021, at 12:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Home with Pastor Lee Stevenson of First United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will follow at Graves Cemetery in Perry County, Tennessee. A visitation will be held on Friday, October 8, 2021, from 5:00 – 7:00 PM and again on Saturday from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM at the funeral home. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Born on November 6, 1934, in Perry County, Tennessee, Marjorie was the daughter of the late Paul O. Thompson and the late Violet Cotton Thompson. Marjorie was married to Tommy Lee Bates who preceded her in death on August 2, 2019. She was a graduate of Lewis County High School, attended Martin Methodist College and Peabody College, and earned her master’s degree in education from Middle Tennessee State University. She taught school in Hohenwald, Centerville, Murfreesboro, Hampshire, and at Whitthorne over a period of forty-two years. Marjorie was a member of First United Methodist Church where she sang in the church choir. She was a past secretary for the Maury County History Association, past president of MCRT, and a member of the United Methodist Women Class. She was also a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Left behind to cherish Marjorie’s memory are her daughter, Kimberly “Kim” (Jimmy Pruitt) Bates of Clifton, Tennessee, grandchildren, Dalton Ray Greggs, Savanna (Brandon Deaton) Greggs, great-grandchildren, Stryker Deaton, Haiven Deaton, and grandfurbaby, Harley Joe.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brother: Edward Paul Thompson.

Pallbearers will be Mike Thompson, Paris Thompson, David Thompson, Grant Thompson, Bill Marbet, and Clay Pruitt. Honorary pallbearers will include the First United Methodist Church Bible study group, the Maury County Board of Education, and Jerry & Linda Rhea.