Janie Carrie Lee (Thomas) Bates' Obituary
Janie Carrie Lee (Thomas) Bates was born March 21, 1936, to Robert and Bessie Thomas in Laguardo, Tennessee (Wilson County) and entered eternal rest on Monday, April 1, 2025.
She was educated in the Williamson County Public School System at Franklin Training School, Franklin, Tennessee and Metropolitan Public School System and graduated from Haynes High School, Nashville, Tennessee in 1955. A talented athlete, she excelled in basketball and track and served as a cheerleader at both schools. After graduation, she dedicated many years to Haynes High School as the Administrative Assistant before transitioning to the Nashville Board of Education where she worked and retired. She served 50 dedicated years in the Metropolitan Government System. She loved her job, and she loved Haynes School with passion. Janie furthered her education by attending Tennessee State University to enhance her skills in business administration.
Janie married Joe W. Bates, Jr. (a.k.a. “Hot Rod”) December 23, 1955. From this union two sons were born Randall and Darryl. This union is the true definition of “until death do us part” lasting 69 years and 3 months.
Janie united with Edenwold Missionary Baptist Church, Madison, Tennessee at the early age of sixteen. Her love for music and community glowed through her years singing in the church choir with her mom, sisters and auntie and as Financial Secretary for the Financial Operations at Edenwold for many, many years. As Janie’s health began to decline, she would be picked up and brought to church by her sisters Doris and Trudie. She did not allow her health conditions to interfere with her ministry and performed her duties of Financial Secretary with the assistance of Ms. Mattie Fisher, and Ms. Gwendolyn Johnson. Janie’s declining health prohibited her from doing many things that she loved, like spending time and travelling with her family and friends to Tennessee State University and Titan Football games. She truly did “bleed blue” in The Big Blue Family and WOW she was with the Titans from the beginning – and holds her season ticket seats for both TSU Tigers and Tennessee Titan games.
Janie loved to cook, and we loved for her to cook. She was the only daughter who learned how to make our mother’s favorite fried pie crust, and she rocked it. She established her own baking business and sold caramel cakes, and many other delicious pastries and goodies, especially fried pies - to many friends and relatives. She found peace and love in the kitchen, and it was revealed in the finished products of her baking and her sweet and thoughtful acts of kindness to everyone she met. She was our “big sister”, Gan Gan, Nana, Grandma, Ms. Bates, Ms. Janie, and Mamma, and we will always remember her for being oldest, she would let you know that she was the oldest. What a great role model.
She was preceded in death by her father, Robert Thomas; mother, Bessie Thomas; sister, Eunice (Thomas) Dixon, and son Darryl Bates.
She leaves to cherish her memory a loving and devoted family: husband, Joe W. Bates, Jr.; son Randall (Zora) Bates; Monica Bates (daughter-in-law); brothers: Fred Thomas (Kent, WA); James Thomas, Sr (Carson, CA); Jackie (Doloress) Thomas, St. Robert, MO); sisters: Doris Ann Thomas, and Trudie Elizabeth Thomas; Wayne Dixon (brother-in-law); grandchildren: Giorgio Bates; Austin (Charaye) Bates; and Angel-Lisa Bates; great grandchildren: Jalen, Joshua, Aleah, Zayden, Rylan, Mayara, Noelle, King, and Nyla. Janie’s dear friends at the Board of Education: Naomi Hill and Clara Sales, who worked with her for many, many years. Virginia (Lil’ Sister) Boleyjack who introduced Janie and Joe W., and the Retirement Club affectionately called The Group who meet every 2nd Tuesday of the month to chat and chew. The Members of the Group: Gwendolyn B. Smith, Patricia Campbell, and Margo Cain, Linda Pegues-Brinkley, Lora A. Alexander, Marian McDonald, Evanda McDowell and of course our Janie Bates. And a host of nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors – Janie never met a stranger.
Pallbearers
Nephews
Cousins
Flowerbearers
Nieces
Cousins
Friends
Farewell to Janie
(my Wife, my Mom)
Somewhere in our hearts beneath all our grief and pain,
Is a smile we still wear at the sound of your dear name.
The precious word is JANIE, she was the world to us,
But now our hearts are breaking cause she’s no longer here with us.
God chose her for His Angel to watch us from above.
To guide us and advise us and know that we’re still loved.
The day she had to leave us when her life on earth was through,
God had better plans for her, for this, we surely know.
When we think of her kind heart and all those loving years,
Our memories surround us and we can’t hold back the tears,
She truly was our best friend, someone we could confide in,
She always had a tender touch and a word and gentle grin,
We want to thank you Janie (my Wife my Mom) for everything from beginning to end!
To Our Wonderful Sister
Of all the special gifts in life,
However great or small.
To have you as our Sister,
was the greatest gift of all,
May the wind blow softly,
and whisper in your ear.
“We love & miss you Sister,
and wish that you were here.”
Deep within our hearts,
Your memory is kept.
we loved, we laughed,
at times we even wept.
There are no more tomorrows,
Left for us to share.
But we’re very thankful,
Our yesterdays are always there.
Love Always, Your Sisters and Brothers
Acknowledgments
Thank you for your kind expressions of sympathy. The love you have shown has given us great comfort during the difficult time. It is deeply appreciated and will forever be remembered by
The Family of Janie Carrie Lee (Thomas) Bates
Special Thanks
Thanks to the nurses and staff at The Pavilion at Lebanon, especially “Big Mamma”; Vanderbilt Hospital, ICU Unit nurses and staff, Lebanon, Tennessee; and Gentiva Hospice staff Mary Ann Valentine and Kaye Doss, for their exceptional care and attention to detail during our Janie’s stay with them.
and
Especially to her loving and devoted son Randall and daughter-in-law Zora for making sure she was taken care of as she would have taken care of herself.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: https://www.dementiasociety.org/donate
Arrangements entrusted to Spring Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5110 Gallatin Road, Nashville, Tennessee 37216, (615)865-1101, www.springhillfh.com
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