Henry Lee Bates

Henry Lee Bates, 84, of Axton, Virginia, passed away Sunday, May 26, 2024. He was born August 13, 1939, in Rondo, Virginia, to the late Albert Ree Bates and Annie Myers Bates.In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Irene Kennedy; and brother, Carroll Bates.Henry was the owner operator of Bates Builders for more than fifty years and owned, Speckled Hen Antiques Store and a street stock racing team. He was extremely talented and great with his hands; he was a visionary who could see the full potential and bring whatever he was working on to life. In his free time, he loved working on and viewing all types of cars but specifically Corvettes. He enjoyed visiting the mountains and camping in his Class A motor home. He was known as a people person with a large personality. Henry was a very talented individual who would never reveal his age.He is survived by son, Ricky Bates (Cookie); sister, Betty Blankenship (Ray); brothers, Leonard Bates, and Albert Ree Bates, Jr.; grandchildren, Ricky Bates II (Stephanie), and Sara Hankins (Brandon); great grandchildren, William Henry Bates, and Jacob Wayne Hollandsworth; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.The funeral will be held Thursday, May 30, 2024, at 5:00 PM at Wright Funeral Service Chapel with Pastor Ricky Bates and Pastor Jody Pollard officiating. Burial will be private. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.In lieu of flowers, donations in memorial to Henry Bates can be made to Samaritans Purse/Operation Christmas Childs Ministry to Willis Memorial Baptist Church at 5212 Cascade Road Cascade, Virginia 24069. Donations may also be made to the Martinsville Henry County SPCA at 132 Joseph Martin Highway Martinsville, Virginia 24112 or online at https://www.spcamhc.org/donate/make-an-online-donation.