Dora

Bates

Dora Tillman Bates passed away September 23, 2024, in Thomasville, Georgia. Services for Mrs. Bates will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 5, 2024, at graveside Laurel Hill Cemetery, Thomasville, Georgia. The Rev. Stanley Norman will officiate. Family will receive friends an hour before the service at graveside.

Dora Tillman Bates was born May 25, 1932, in Moultrie, Georgia, to Marion Joseph Tillman, Sr. and Rosa Lee Harvey Tillman. She was a devoted wife and loving mom to her four sons and their wives, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her greatest joy was visiting and spending time with her family. She loved the Lord and served Him faithfully. For many years she taught Sunday School, lead bible studies and loved singing in the choir. In retirement, she spent several years volunteering at the JAARS center in Waxhaw, NC which is an aviation and support organization for Bible translation throughout remote parts of the world. She also served as a representative for JAARS sharing with others the work they do in spreading the gospel.

Dora Tillman Bates is survived by her children, Dr. Stacy Harbin (Kaye) of Port Saint Joe, Florida, Clint Harbin (Cheryl) of Lakemont, Georgia, Alex Harbin (fiancé Holly) of Thomasville, Georgia and Britt Harbin (Traci) of Lancaster, South Carolina; grandchildren Hannah Brown (Tony), Amanda Wooton (Lewis), Seth Harbin (Katy), Mary-Blake Summerlin (Mark), Heather Culverhouse (Joe), April Clements (David), Matthew Harbin, Stephen Harbin (Shay), Hunter Graves (Simon), Asa Harbin, Spencer Harbin, Reid Harbin, Kelsey Kennedy, Katie Harbin, and Brice Harbin; and twenty-one great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Clarence C. Harbin and Eric S. Bates; and her siblings, Bernice Tillman Southerland, William Henry Tillman, Theron Harding Tillman, Marion Joseph Tillman, Jr., Homer Lee Tillman, Raliegh Max Tillman, Sr., Earl Marvin Tillman and two great-grandchildren Shepherd Stacy Summerlin and Cooper Harbin.

A special thank you from our family to caregivers Robin Dodson and Stephanie Crosby.