Lillian Rhea Bailey Cates, age 93, passed away peacefully on January 25, 2020 in Rock Spring, GA. Born September 25, 1926 in Kodak, TN one of seven children, she graduated from Sevier County High School. She had a very strong work ethic and was employed first at Thompson Studios, the Hamilton Bank, and finally for the Knox County School System at Carter High School. She married her seven-year sweetheart George Cates on September 2, 1950.
She was very involved in her church and its programs, especially WMU. She loved music and sang in the church choir, sometimes singing duets with her brother Junior Bailey. She and her husband loved traveling, particularly to Myrtle Beach. She was a true servant to others. Her mission along with her husband was ministering to shut-ins and those church members and friends in the hospital. Recently, as her health declined, she and her husband moved to Rock Spring, GA to be near family.
She was preceded in death by her father Lloyd Bailey, mother Rozella Henry, step-father E.M. Henry, brother A.L. Bailey, step-brothers Burl Henry and Earl Henry, and sisters Mary Blazier and JoAnna Hodges.
Survivors include her devoted husband George H. Cates, her dedicated and much loved daughter Patsy Goodlet, son-in-law Cliff Goodlet, special grandson Tripp Goodlet and his wife Missy Goodlet, beloved great-grandson Cal Goodlet, sister Edith Rhea Webster, and several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend special gratitude to Parkside Lakeview Rehabilitation, Fort Oglethorpe, GA and special caregivers Marcie Griffith, Velda Smith, Barbara Long, and Charlotte Lunsford. Appreciation is also extended to Hearth Hospice of North Georgia and their team Lachrisha, Ben, Holly and Chaplin Brent.
Services will be held on January 28, 2020 at 7 PM at Beech Springs Baptist Church, Kodak, TN with visitation at the church prior to the service from 3 - 6:30 PM. Officiating at the service will be Rev. Sam Grindstaff, Rev. Brandon Cate, and Rev. Jerry Vittatoe. Interment will be at Beech Springs Cemetery on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at 11 AM.
Family and friends may send their condolences through the website of Atchley Funeral Home in Sevierville, TN.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lillian's name to The Alzheimer's Association or Beech Springs Baptist Church, Kodak, TN.
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