Howson Franklin Bates, III, age 44 of Hurt, passed away on November 16, 2024 at his residence. He was the son of Howson Franklin Bates, Jr. and Evelyn Annette Pannell Bates.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Eric Bates; maternal grandparent, Fred Pannell, Sr.; paternal grandparents, Howson Bates, Sr. and Lula C. Bates; and a special cousin, James Rogers "Scoot".

Those left to cherish his memories and love are his wife, Melissa A. Bates of Hurt, Virginia; two daughters, Taliyah Bates, of Fayetteville, NC and Aliyah Bates of Lynchburg, VA; son, Howson F. Bates, IV of Appomattox, VA; two step-daughters, Marissa Hudson (Jachai) of Lynchburg, VA and Shaniece Kirby of Martinsville, VA; two grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; his parents, Howson F. Bates, Jr. and Evelyn Annette Pannell Bates, both of Brookneal, VA; two brothers, Lamont Bates (Andrea) of Roanoke, VA and Robert Bates of Jacksonville, FL; two sisters, Arlene Bates of Brookneal, and Shanika Bates of Lynchburg, VA; father-in-law, John C. Patterson of New Ellenton, SC; two sisters-in-law, Charlene Patterson of Mebane, NC and Shaneka Oakman of Aiken, SC; maternal grandmother, Thelma Pannell of Brookneal, VA; three devoted aunts, Lesia Bates, Lorisa Bates, both of Brooklyn, NY, and Patricia Spinner of Lynchburg, VA; devoted cousin/caregiver, Jacqueline Callands; two special friends/sisters, Beverly Cunningham of Hurt, VA and Tiffany Brown of Lynchburg, VA; bestfriend/barber, Chaunston Gray of Farmville, VA; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.