Dale Frederick Bates Sr. was born September 17, 1965, and died June 22, 2026. Funeral services were held Sunday, July 5, 2026, at noon at St. Mary Church in Greensboro, with Pastor Joe L. Hamilton Jr. officiating.
Dale was the son of Marie Bryant and the late John Thomas Gray of Newbern. He served faithfully as a deacon, on the finance committee, and as an usher until his death. He graduated from Sunshine High School in 1984. He attended Faulkner University in Montgomery and Wallace Community College in Selma. He served in the United States National Guard Army for 17 years and was employed with the United States Postal Service for over 34 years.
On July 31, 1999, Dale was united in holy matrimony to Patrice Lanor Bates. They were married for 27 years and have two handsome sons, Dale Bates Jr. and Patrick Bates Sr.
Dale Bates Sr. was affectionately known as “Big Dale” and touched countless lives throughout his 34 years of dedicated service with the United States Postal Service in Greensboro. During his career, he built lasting friendships and formed bonds with many who became life family. Big Dale was known for his warm heart, kind words, genuine personality, and unforgettable sense of humor that could brighten anyone’s day. Above all, he was a devoted husband, a loving father, a proud grandfather, and a true family man who cherished every moment spent with those he loved. His kindness, laughter, and unwavering love for his family and community will forever be remembered. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him, but his legacy of love, compassion, and joy will live on in the hearts of many.
Dale was preceded in death by his father, John Thomas Gray of Newbern; a loving grandmother, Edith Bates of Newbern; his mother-in-law, Janie Anderson; and a number of uncles and aunts.
Dale leaves to cherish his memory his loving and devoted wife, Patrice Bates; two sons, Dale Bates Jr. and Patrick Bates Sr. of Newbern; two grandchildren, Patrick Bates Jr. and Kingston Bates of Newbern; a sweet and loving mother, Marie (Ernest) Bryant; two sisters, Nickie Bryant of Newbern and Felcia (John) Agnew of Newbern; five brothers, Earnest (Michelle) Bryant of Montgomery, Anthony (Rikki Ross) Bryant of Newbern, Michael (Teleasa) Scott of Tuscaloosa, Steven Scott of Moundville, and Anthony (Princess) Scott of Newbern; one brother-in-law, Thomas Ferguson Jr. of Marion; three aunties-in-law, Mary Alice (Eugene) Williams of Newbern, Inell Evans Diaz of Greensboro, and Betty Evans of Birmingham; one uncle-in-law, Tom (Erena) Evans of Yonkers, N.Y.; three special cousins, Gwendolyn Melton of Newbern, Jessie Ward of Washington, D.C., and Deborah Marks of Newbern; two cousins-in-law, Dorothy Evans of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Katonya Evans of Moundville; three aunties, Allain Bates of Newbern, Mattie Bates of Greensboro, and Marie Agnew White of Marion; one bonus daughter, Vanesa Munoz of Linden; one godson, Kirk Tubbs of Tuscaloosa; a special sister/friend, Kristy Starks of Uniontown; and a host of special nieces, nephews, cousins, special relatives and friends to keep his memory and strength alive.
