Johnnie Bates, 92, of Riverview, FL went Home to be with the Lord on January 30, 2022.

Johnnie was born in Somerset, Kentucky, on October 5, 1929. He spent approximately 25 years farming in the Indianapolis, IN area before moving to Florida in 1978.

He is survived by his three sons by his first wife Mary (deceased): Michael (Linda) Bates, Donald (Kathy) Bates, and Richard (Dee) Bates; and by his wife Freida Hester-Bates and his two stepdaughters: Cathy (Ron) Stephens and Andi (Roy) Hoxworth. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. He is survived by two sisters: Edna Mae Compton and Dorothy Gilliam, and predeceased by 11 siblings.

Johnnie accepted Christ as his personal Savior as a young teenager. Over 60 years he faithfully served in a number of churches; He began his employment and ministry at Providence Baptist Church upon his move to Florida. In addition to other duties, Johnnie was the principal bus driver for Providence Christian School as well as the Church. Besides making over a dozen trips with the seniors of the School to the Circle C Ranch near Buffalo, New York , he made annual trips with the youth group from the Church to the Bill Rice Ranch in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He made several mission trips with the young people including to the Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago, Illinois , and Northwestern Ontario, Canada. Locally he drove the boys and girls sports teams to their games with other schools and also students field trips. He enjoyed the trips he made driving for the Senior Saints of the Church. Those in charge,. traveling with the various groups, always felt relieved knowing that should mechanical problems arise, they had mechanic on board. At his passing he was a member of Victory Baptist Church in Valrico, Florida.

Johnnie had a servant's heart. He would stop what he was doing and help with any task asked of him. His many skills included farming, mechanical, building, and so much more.

The family will receive friends on February 4th from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Serenity Meadows Funeral Home, 6919 Providence Road, Riverview, Florida. The Funeral Service will follow immediately at 12:00 PM, officiated by Dr. J. Michael Bates and Pastor David Littrell. Burial will follow at Providence Cemetery in Riverview, Florida.