Steve Hilliard Bates

February 26, 1944 ~ October 20, 2000
Resided in:
Fletcher, NC
A native of Buncombe County, he was the son of the late Clyde Bates and Hazel Brown Bates and step-son of Faye Bates of Asheville.
Steve was an employee of Gerber for 37 years. He was a member of the NRA, an outdoorsman, an avid fisherman and was an inventor in his own way.
In addition to his step-mother, he is survived by two sons, Eric Bates of Asheville, Scottie Bates of Fairview; four grandchildren; his special companion, Pracilla Edwards of the home; a brother James Bates of Fairview and four step-sisters, Marcia, Sandra, Shirley and Linda.
Funeral services will be held at 2 pm Monday in the chapel of Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian conducted by the Rev. Cecil Robinson. Interment will follow in Ashelawn Gardens of Memory.
The family will receive friends from 7 until 8:30 pm Sunday at the funeral home on Long Shoals Road.
Thinking of you in your time of sorrow,If there is anything I can help you with please give me a call. DARLENE MAYNOR
If there is anything I can do please call me.
Jesse Hollifield
I’m shocked and saddened to hear of Steve’s passing. We worked together for many years at Gerber. My memories of him are his friendliness and work ethic. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Dan Page
Sorry to hear of your lose. I will keep the family in my prayers. Marion Carter
PLEASE GIVE OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY AND CONDOLENCES TO SCOTTIE BATES AND HIS FAMILY, FROM SCOTT & BRENDIA EDWARDS
Miss Priss,
You are in my thoughts and prayers, may God bless you in this time of grief and give you the strength to go on and and find peace and happiness in the days ahead.If I can be of any help don’t hesitate to call.
Love you,
Addie Hardy
Love you Addie
Our kindest regards to Steve’s family and friends. Steve is already in that great fishing lake in the sky! Love, Eddie and Shirley
I was very sorry to hear of Steve’s death. He and I worked together at Gerber. My condolences to his family.
Saddened and sorry to hear of Steve’s passing.We both worked with Steve at Gerber and enjoyed his company. He was a great guy to be around.
Our condolences to his family.
Ralph and Debbie Sparks
I’m saddened by Steve’s passing. I enjoyed working with him at Gerber.May God bless you. Billy Briscoe Jr.
Steve, this is to you, I still miss you very much and I always will. I am married to a wonderful man, he has even gone with me to your grave. He knows all about you, I love him dearly
but I will always remember what we had together.
Just thinking about you…telling a friend about you…it snowed and you know how I do not like it…I think back and wish you would have stopped smoking along time ago…that way we could have had more time to be together…I will talk to you later….still miss you
Just thinking of you Steve…I still miss you and think of you….guest I will always miss you..Love Pracilla
Steve me again..just thinking of you while I am on my lunch. I will always miss you.
I was thinking of you 18 years ago we were planning our last trip to Florida together we both knew that would be your last one but we did not talk about it. I miss you so much still after all this time. Pracilla
Merry Christmas Steve,
I think of you alot and miss you. I will always miss you.
Love you,
Pracilla
I will always love and miss you
Pracilla
Happy Birthday honey
I miss you so much after all this time. You was my soul mate. My husband, I told you about him, when we go down to Asheville, he goes with me to your grave. We have a good life but no one will ever replace you.
Love and miss you
Pracilla