Lillie Mae (Billings) Bates

Lillie Mae Bates was born on November 7, 1944, to the late Reverend Johnnie and Mrs. Hattie Billings in Lawrence County, Alabama. She departed this life on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at North Alabama Medical Center, Florence, Alabama.

Lillie gave her life to Christ at an early age and became a member of the Red Bank Missionary Baptist Church. She later married and became a member of the Bethel Colbert Missionary Baptist Church in Leighton, Alabama, where she served until being called home to the Lord.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Reverend Johnnie and Mrs. Hattie Billings; brothers, Johnnie, Robert, Samuel, and Ernest Billings; and one sister, Queenester.

She leaves to cherish her memories:

two sons, Clarence E. Bates Jr. (Faye) of Muscle Shoals, AL, and Reverend Thomas (Sherry) Bates of Muscle Shoals, AL; three grandchildren, Demetrius Bates of Muscle Shoals, AL, Jodi Stevenson Roy of Muscle Shoals, AL, and Mikaela (Kyle) Grimes of Florence AL; six great grandchildren, Zakarion Bates, Kyree Roy, Kobi Roy, Keagan Roy, Mason Grimes, and Baker Grimes;  a host of nieces, nephews, and cherished friends, especially those of the Bethel Colbert Church family and the Mt. New Home Church of Leighton, Alabama. She also leaves a very special friend, Oscar Graham of Russellville, AL, to whom we offer our love and gratitude.

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