Floyd Earl Bates Sr. went to be with his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, January 12th, 2022. He was born at home in Bristol, Texas on May 1st, 1935, to Charles Sydney and Omie Iler Lewis Bates. Floyd was one of 12 children and was raised on a farm where his parents taught him the value of hard work and absolute dedication to the Lord. As he grew older, his mother prayed fervently that he would find favor with an employer. His mother's prayers were answered in 1953 when he was hired by The Frito Company (currently Frito-Lay) at the age of 18. But it wasn't until a fateful night in June, at a church service in East Dallas, where his life changed when he met his forever sweetheart, Lilly Jeanette Bates. Floyd married Jeanette on July 24th, 1954, and they welcomed their son, Floyd Earl Jr., the following year. Floyd continued his job as a Sales Manager at Frito Lay for the next 48 years and was responsible for establishing many of the distribution relationships that still stand around the United States today. Floyd and Jeanette completed their family of six with the arrival of three daughters, Sherrie, Christy, and Becky.

Floyd's desire to farm the land that he lived on led their family to Ennis, TX in 1969. Floyd was quite the hobby farmer-harvesting crops from cotton to corn and raising cattle and a host of other farm animals. Though his most strategic business move was hiring the cheapest farmhands around, his children! Floyd could be caught many a weekend working from dawn to dusk alongside his kids, teaching them the value of hard work and the satisfaction that comes with a slower way of life.

After retirement, Floyd devoted his life to service, serving as a Deacon in his church, leading song service, and keeping up with his grandchildren around the farm. Even in his older age, Floyd was always moved by music and loved to sing Johnny Cash and hymns alike. We will miss his unapologetic singing and praying!

Floyd is survived by his wife of 68 years, Jeanette Bates, son, Floyd Bates Jr. (Eldonna), daughters, Sherrie Barratt (Jerry), Christy Teeter (David), Becky Frankiewicz, sister, Geneva Cutbirth, and his 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Floyd is preceded in death by his parents, Charles Sydney and Omie Iler Bates, brothers, Francis, Eugene, James and Cecil Bates and sisters, Hazel Tanner, Estelle Bates, Pauline Stewart, Lauther Ree Stewart, Mae Birchfield, Dorothy Clay, and son-in-law, Marek Frankiewicz.

Visitation will be held at Waxahachie Funeral Home on Sunday, January 16th, 2022, from 4-6pm. Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 17th at 11am at Sardis Methodist Church with interment to follow at Sardis Cemetery.