Joseph Bates

Joseph Bates, a native of Louisiana born on October 26, 1931, to Wade Bates and Annie Jones. He moved to Denver, Colorado in 1968. He worked for Denver Public Schools as a Bus Driver, for 32 years until he retired in 2013. He attended Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in Denver.  

He is preceded in death by his parents Wade Bates and Annie Jones, one brother, Isaiah Bates, five sisters: Ella Sheridan, Lillie Berry, Doris Morgan, Victoria Hendricks, Clarice Andrews; and his grandson Raliegh Andrews Jr. 

He is survived by his two sisters, Minister Joyce (Fred) James of Covington, Louisiana, and Catherine (Charles) Ingram of Inglewood, California. Four children: Raleigh (Johnnie) Andrews in Desoto, Texas, Holline (Don) Sanders in Stockton, CA, Joseph (Sharon) Bates in Newark, CA, and Balyn Bates in Denver, Colorado. Four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, loving family and friends.