Mr. Lawrence Howard Bates was born on November 24, 1959, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, a son of the late Walter Ray and Freda Bates (Shaw).

Lawrence was preceded in death by his father, Walter Ray Bates;

his brother, Roger Bates and his sister, Daphne Waters.

Lawrence served in the U.S. Army from 1984-1987, on active duty, to include a tour in Germany, and 5 years in the Ready Reserves. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from Golden Gate University, Monterey, California.

Lawrence loved his family, he loved to golf, he loved to cook and he loved traveling. More importantly, Lawrence received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior on July 27, 2025.

Lawrence is survived by his mother, Freda Shaw, his brothers:

Walter Bates, David Bates Sr., and Jeffrey Bates; his children: Kendrick Bates (AZ), Antyon Christian-Wallace (GA), Devaurius Benford (TN), Leah Anderson (SC), and Victoria Bates (FL); Grandchildren: Ayana, Tyqueria, Dequasia, Devaurius Jr., De 'Cauria, De 'Zion, De 'Ziya, Avauri, Saniya, Jalina, Lillian, Haven, Alannah, Integrity, Elijah, and Josiah.

Lawrence also leaves a host of nieces and nephews, and many other family members and friends, who will dearly miss him.

Family Visitation ~ Saturday, August 16, 2025 from 12-1:00pm with funeral service to follow at Hellum Funeral Chapel.

Interment ~ Monday, August 18, 2025 Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery Pegram, Tn at 2:00pm

Please keep the Bates family in your thoughts and prayers.

Arrangements entrusted to Hellum Funeral Home, Inc. 611 South Highland Ave. Murfreesboro, Tn. 37130 (615) 893-4323