Thomas "Beachie" Lavaughn Bates

Thomas “Beachie” Lavaughn Bates, age 75, of Taylor, Florida, passed away on Wednesday, March 24, 2021, at Macclenny Nursing and Rehab after an extended illness. He was born on June 11, 1945, in Talladega, Alabama, to John Thomas and Fannie Lucille (Peeples) Bates.
Before moving to Baker County, Beachie was a carpenter/roofer by trade and spent many years volunteering with Carpenters for Christ in Talladega. He enjoyed playing his guitar and hunting. Beachie was a member of Cuyler Baptist Church, and he loved people. He was a loving husband, father, Paw Paw, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend who was devoted to his family.
Beachie was preceded in death by his parents; son, Jeff Bates; daughter, Kelly Adams; brothers, Dixon Bates and Jerry Bates; sister, Lois Stedham; and grandson, Austin Adams.
He is survived by his loving wife of 22 years, Marsha M. Bates of Taylor; daughters, Mckayla Bates of Taylor, Karen Watts of Bay Minette, Alabama, Jessalyn Davis of Taylor, and Rebecca “Bek” Parker of Macclenny; sons, Steven Jordan of Macclenny, and Kellen Jordan of Macclenny; brothers, Henry Bates, and John Bates, both of Wadley, Alabama; sisters, Sue Barber of Oxford, Alabama, and Kathy Dorminey Hooper of Ohatchee, Alabama; grandchildren, Jessica, Raylee, Lynsey, Anthony, Logan, Brianna, Kyla, Kierra, Aric, River, Gideon, Wade, Rhys, Jordyn, and Kaleb; along with numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends.
No local services will be held in Florida. Beachie is being laid to rest with his parents in Alabama.
Graveside Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 10, 2021, in Eastaboga Baptist Church Cemetery in Eastaboga, Alabama.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Beachie’s name, Thomas Bates, to Project Lifesaver International c/o Baker County Sheriff’s Office. Please make checks payable to Project Lifesaver.
The primary mission of Project Lifesaver is to provide a timely response to save lives and reduce potential injury for adults and children with the propensity to wander due to a cognitive condition like Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Autism. Thomas participated in this program with a device provided by the Baker County Sheriff’s Office. All donations will support Project Lifesaver in Baker County.
Donations can be sent to the Baker County Sheriff’s Office at 1 Sheriff’s Office Drive, Macclenny, FL 32063, or Blackburn-Curry Funeral & Cremation at 380 N. Lowder Street, Macclenny, FL 32063.
Arrangements entrusted to the care of BLACKBURN-CURRY FUNERAL AND CREMATION, 380 N. Lowder Street, Macclenny, FL 32063. (904) 259-2806. Please sign the guestbook at www.blackburncurryfh.com.

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