A Time To Be Born:  On June 7, 1989, God would bless Henry Bates, Jr. and Pandora Redmond with the birth of two children, one of which was a son, Nathan Patrick Bates.

A Time To Learn- "Everything that you do for the Lord let it be real".  Nathan graduated from Greenville Weston High School in 2008.  He attended college in Nashville, TN pursuing a degree in criminal justice.

At an early age, Nathan was baptized and joined the Mount Ararat Missionary Baptist Church of Greenville, Mississippi under the leadership of Pastor Billy D. Robinson.  He always had a strong faith in God and instilled in others.  Nathan believed as a family we are to take care of the possible and God would take care of the impossible.

A Time To Labor - "A workman is worthy of his labor".  When Nathan became old enough to work, he worked as a transporter.  His greatest labor was for Christ Jesus.  Patrick's Outreach (Street) Ministry called him to perform specialized tasks, as he learned on the job, and was trained by holy spirit himself.  He was the type of man to literally give the shirt off his back.

A Time To Love - "Faith, Hope and Love; The greatest of these three is love".  As a young man, Nathan met and married the former Lewaynia Lane.  Nathan covered Lewaynia in marriage and to their union 2 lovely children were born; Nylah and Noelle Bates of Detroit, MI.  He was blessed with 3 beautiful sisters, Natashia, Channon and Kimberly; 1 brother, Vernon Allison; 3 handsome nephews, Caleb Ray, Michael Lewis, Levi Lewis and 1 beautiful niece Asya Lewis and a host of sorrowing family and friends.

A Time For Grief - " I have overcome the world..... through me you have life......I have given you the victory".  Nathan overcame much sorrow during the demise of great-grandparents George (Mary) Redmond Sr., grandparents Henry (Lucielle) Bates, uncles, Robert Redmond, George Redmond, Jr., Aunt Joyce Redmond, cousins, Antonio Bates, Curtis Davis, Brittany Rollins, Tabitha Queen, and many other loved ones along the way.  Without a douby Nathan was a born again Christian and had the faith of job.  Through it all Nathan learned to lean and depend on Jesus.  He leaves to mourn his wife Lewaynia Bates; 2 daughters, Nylah and Noelle, son Jaiden; mother and father:   Pandora (Charles) Wills and Henry Bates, Jr; 3 sisters:  Natashia, Channon and Kimberly; 2 brothers:  Vernon Allison and Charles Wills, Jr., 3 nephews:  Caleb, Michael and Levi and niece Asya; grandparents:  Anna Queen and Otis (Brenda) Miller; special uncles:  Timothy Redmond and Joseph Robinson; special cousins:  Cheryl Redmon (Mom #2) and Thomas Rollins III (brother); special friends:  Reginald Reed (brother) and Kevin Sharp and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Nathan's favorite song was "In Jesus Name" by Katy Nichole.  Nathan's favorite passage of scripture was Ephesians 6:10-18; and his favorite colors were black and baby blue.

A Time To Rest - "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest".  On Monday, January 22, 2024, at the age of 34, God led Nathan safely home.  Although gone but not forgotten, our younger men can continue to emulate his love, strength, work ethics, wisdom and fashion.  All of these traits created in Nathan a living testimony that many are in need of hearing and his faith in God.