Raymond Lee Bates

RAYMOND LEE BATES, 34, of Ceres, VA, passed away Friday, September 15, 2023. He was born May 7, 1989 in Radford, VA, the son of Sammy Neff & Tammy Bates. 

Raymond loved his family. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing and trapping. 

Raymond was preceded in death by his father, Sammy (“Joe”) Neff.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 14 years, Samantha Foglesong Bates; his children, Kendra, Hannah and Chase; his mother, Tammy Bates Jackson & Joe Ratcliffe; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Mike & Sharon Simmons Foglesong; his grandmother, Kathy Bates; his sisters, Katherine Bates, Minnie Bates and Samantha Joe Bates; his sisters-in law and brothers-in-law, Amanda & Jonathon Akers and Melissa & T.J. McNutt; his special fishing buddy, Mitchell Simmons; and several special friends and extended family members. 

Per his wishes, Raymond will be cremated.  A graveside service will be held Saturday, September 23, 2023 at Morning Star Cemetery at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Duane Bailey officiating.  

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made in Raymond’s honor directly to A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home, 2508 Walkers Creek Valley Rd., Pearisburg, VA 24134, to help with funeral expenses. 

The Bates family is in the care of A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home, White Gate, avestandsons.com, (540) 921-2985.