JAMES THOMAS ‘TOMMY’ FEARS
Atmore

James Thomas ‘Tommy’ Fears, 63, passed away on Mon., May 4, 2015, in Atmore.
As a child, he attended Bethel Baptist Church in Flomaton.
He was truly a musician at heart and marched to the beat of his own drum. He loved the outdoors including fishing, hunting, camping, and he had an unending love for Native American history and culture.
He always said, “Being Native American was not just the color of your skin, it is a condition of the heart.”
He is survived by his daughter, Kayla Marie Fears of Atmore; son, James Daryl Fears of Pensacola, Fla.; sister, Brenda (Donald) Sales of Century, Fla.; brother, Charles (Betty) Fears of Monroeville; former wife of 20 years, Juanita Fears; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sat., May 16, at Friendship Holiness Church, 3266 Atmosphere Road, in Atmore.
Expressions of condolence may be offered at www.hughesfh.com.
Arrangements are by Hughes Funeral Home and Crematory, 7951 American Way, Daphne, AL 36526.

QUINTON CHAVERS
Castleberry

Quinton Chavers, 86, of Hwy. 49 North Sand Cut Community in Castleberry, passed away Tues., May 5, 2015, at his residence after a brief illness.
He was a native of Pineapple, and a former resident of Virginia before moving to Castleberry in 1975.
He was a member of the Appleton Assembly of God Church; retired from the U.S. Army with 20 plus years of service, former fire chief of the Wallace VFD, and a retired helicopter tech from Whiting Field. He was also an avid fisherman.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Lewis Chavers of Castleberry; three sons, James (Anita) Chavers of Repton, David Chavers of Daphne and Marcus (Darlene) Chavers of Brewton; four daughters, Martha (Walter) Howard of Daphne, Liz (Marc) Pudlo of Greenfield Center, N.Y., Anita (Kevin) Dunsford of Castleberry and Melissa (David) Holloway of Brewton; 23 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Mon., May 11, at 2 p.m. at the Appleton Assembly of God Church with the Rev. Russ McDonald officiating.
Interment with full military honors followed in Hanberry Cemetery in Brewton with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Brewton directing.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in memory of Quinton Chavers to: United Men’s Ministry for wheelchair ramps, P.O. Box 289 Brewton, AL 36427 or the Appleton Assembly of God Church
Condolences may be sent and obituaries can be read at williamsmemorialchapel.com.

JOHNNY BATES
Thomasville

Johnny Bates was born March 19, 1945, to Polly Mae Hawkins and Elijah Bates. He departed this life on April 30, 2015.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Shelly Ann Bates.
He grew up in Thomasville and accepted the Lord at an early age. He was married to Patricia Middleton Bates for 10 years.
He is survived by a loving and devoted wife, Patricia Bates of Evergreen; six children, Debra (Vincent) Stanley of St. Louis, Mo., Larry Bates and Mary Durant, both of Detroit, Mich., Andre Jennings, Carlos Jennings and Andrew Jennings, all of Omaha, Neb.; step-child, Kimberly Middleton; brother, Richard Cornelius ‘R.C.’ (Kerry) Bates of Dixon Mills; sisters, Willie Clarice Bates Kennedy of Dixon Mills, Opal Christopher and Pinkie Riley of Atlanta.; brothers, Robert (Nella) Greene of Hayneville, Raynold “Pete/Grasshopper” Greene of Montgomery, Sheriff Richard Eugene (Carolyn) Bates of Linden; sisters, Mamie Earl Bates Steele and Eddie Mae Bates Long, both of Chicago.; brother, John Fritzgerald Bates; friend, Jessie Collins of Riverdale, Ga.; sister, Carries Hawkins of Evergreen; brothers, Charlie (Katrina) Hawkins of Cleveland, Ohio, Ernest (Gardeen) Bates of Worcester, Mass.; sister, Pauline (Roderice) McLemore of Brewton; and brother, Marvin Johnson of Brewton; aunt, Jellean Clifton of Orriville; sister-in-law, Tammy Green of Montgomery and a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, special friends, and devoted brothers-in-law, Earvin, Jr., John and Frederick Middleton; other in-laws, relatives and friends.
Services were held Sat., May 9, at 2:30 p.m. at Presley-Fluker Funeral Chapel in Evergreen with the Rev. Ernest A. Bates officiating.
Internment followed at Centennial No. 1 Church Cemetery in Evergreen with Presley-Fluker Funeral Directors directing.