James Grady Bates Anderson, SC James Grady Bates, age 87, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 30, 2015, at the Rainey Hospice House. Born in Anderson County, SC on January 9, 1928, he was a son of the late Homer B. Bates and the late Viola Ransom Bates. He attended the SC School for the Deaf and Blind in Spartanburg. He retired from Wamsutta in 1988 after many years of dedicated service to them. James was a member of First Baptist Church in Anderson, where he was responsible for beginning the Deaf Sunday School Class and the Deaf Sign Language Class. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Lyndell Clark Bates; three brothers, Harold W. Bates, Sr. and his wife Jean, of Anderson, SC, Charles E. Bates and his wife Judy, of Aiken, SC, and Joe William Bates and his wife Margaret, of Anderson, SC; a sister, Martha Misenheimer, of Concord, NC; six nephews and four nieces. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Larry Lee Bates. The Funeral Service will be held in the Chapel of The McDougald Funeral Home on Thursday, April 2, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Dr. James R. Thomason officiating. Interment will follow at Old Silver Brook Cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the service on Thursday, at the funeral home, from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to SC School for the Deaf and Blind, 355 Cedar Springs Road, Spartanburg, SC 29302 or to First Baptist Church, Anderson, 307 South Manning Street, Anderson, SC 29624. Events Visitation Thursday, April 2, 2015 1:00PM - 2:00PM The McDougald Funeral Home 2211 North Main Street Anderson, SC 29621 Email: Gail@mcdougaldfuneralhome.com,laurel@mcdougaldfuneralhome.com Phone: (864) 224-4343 Funeral Service Thursday, April 2, 2015 2:00PM The McDougald Funeral Home 2211 North Main Street Anderson, SC 29621 Email: Gail@mcdougaldfuneralhome.com,laurel@mcdougaldfuneralhome.com Phone: (864) 224-4343 Final Resting Place Old Silver Brook Cemetery 1405 White Street Anderson, SC 29621