Mrs. Georgia M. Bates

Evangelist Missionary Georgia Bates, daughter of the late Louis and Georgia (Phillips) Kizer, Georgia was born April 2, 1933 in Mounds, Illinois and educated in the Douglass Public School system. She became a Christian at an early age, serving in many capacities of the church, including: Sunday school teacher, prayer leader, choir member and director, and pianist. She gave willingly and tirelessly, up building of the work of the Lord. She has served under the leadership of Elder Isaiah Pryor where she received the calling of a missionary and evangelist to go into the field and bring souls to Christ. She later served under the leadership of Elder Mitchell Fisher in Cairo, Illinois where she was a faithful member serving, singing, and playing the piano for the church and the broad east station. Later, she moved to Kalamazoo, Mich. in 1955 where she met Mr. David Banks, and to this union, three children: Kimberly Ann Banks, David Allen Banks, Lisa Lynn Banks. Upon relocating to Kalamazoo, Mich., she joined the Church of God under the leadership of Elder Lafayette Davis. She was faithful to her calling and branched out to run revivals from Syracuse, NY to Memphis, Tenn. Many souls were saved and came to Christ. She worked taking care of her sister who was ill and was employed by Bronson Methodist Hospital. She also worked at various nursing homes in the area. She was also employed by the U.S. Postal Service for 4.5 years on Route 3. Georgia loved working various jobs. She was also a volunteer for 15 years at the Deacon’s Conference and also the American Cancer Society. In 1970, Georgia moved her membership to the Open Door Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Supt. James S. Lee. There she served 22 years. She was the Sunshine Band teacher, Sunday school teacher, and member of the home and foreign mission board, YPWW, and an avid prayer warrior. She was appointed as helper for District #10, devotional leader, and musician playing the guitar and lead organist. Musically gifted –vocally and instrumentally – Georgia enjoyed singing which epitomized her strong belief in the unfailing power of God. She was a member of the singing group The Soul Lifters, and sang with Quella Lockett, Joyce Moore, Jeannette Posey, and Barbara Vincent. She was also the lead singer of the well-known Kizer Sisters which included Everine Lee, Roberta Dotson, Alberta Kizer, and Jeannette Posey. In 1978, she met and married Deacon Chester Bates. She was blessed to adopt two children, Ramon Bates and Shaquese Lynn Bates. In 1978, she attended the International Bible Seminary and Institute and graduated in January under the leadership of Pastor Luther Chaney, Dean of School and Bishop Nathaniel Wells. After Supt. James Lee passed away, she moved her membership to Hill Temple COGIC under the leadership of Bishop Michael Hill. She was faithful to her calling to this ministry where she ran revivals, held shut-in-services, conducted devotional service, and was the children’s choir organist and director. She was appointed District Missionary of District #17 under the leadership of Supt. Elmer Hess Sr. working under Supt. Clarence Willis, Bishop C.L. Anderson Jr. and State Supervising Merle Cranford of Detroit, Mich. With the motto: “For by Grace are we saved through Faith, that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God” Ephesians 2:8. After Bishop Michael Hill relocated back to Detroit, Miss’y Bates moved her membership back to Open Door COGIC under the leadership of Elder Louis McMurray and continued to serve in many capacities in the battlefield for the Lord. When Elder McMurray decided to relocate back to Muskegon, the Lord placed in her spirit to go to Battle Creek and labor in the vineyard with Elder E.R. Hess Sr.. There, Miss’y Bates joined the First Pentecostal Church of God in Christ. She was preceded in death by: her husband Deacon Chester Bates, Two sons Ramon Bates, Samuel Banks; her father and mother Louis and Georgia (Phillips) Kizer; 7 sisters: Everee Williams, Everine Lee, Mary Francis Yates, Aileen Kizer, Ola Mae Bolles, Alberta Kizer, Jeanette Posey; 5 brothers, Lester Dorsey, Elbert Kizer, Louis Kizer Jr., Robert Kizer, and Charles Taylor. She leaves to cherish her memory: are 3 daughters, Kimberly Ann Banks, Lisa Lynn Banks (Morgan-Taylor), Shaquese Lynn Bates, David Allen Banks; Grandchildren: Amberly Banks, Ashley Banks, Anisha Banks, Angel Banks, T'iera Banks, T'anna Banks, David Banks Jr., Ja'mele Hampton, Kennedy Curry, Alexandria Morgan, Phyllicia Morgan, Gregory V. Morgan II, Phillip Morgan, Christopher Morgan, Mariah Taylor, Jordan Taylor, Da'quayvion Jones, Da'veon Jones, and Karmah Johnson; Great Grandchildren: Madison Ashford, Asharia Banks, Aivery Banks, Alexis Ford, and A'quan Foster; Special Grandchildren: Gabriel Moore, Alisa Parker, Lakisha Robison, Quanisha Robison, Demetrise Robison, Prinston Robison, Calvin Robison, Labrisha Robison, and many, many more...; Special Great Grandchildren: Jeremiah Nelson, Josiah Robison, and many, many more...; one sister, Roberta Dotson of Kalamazoo, MI and 1 brother, Calvin Kizer of Elgin IL; Also, God Children: Helyn Robison, Elder Danny and Missy Theola Futch, Renee Irby, Carolyn Allen, Robert and Eloise Moore, Crystal Parker, Carl and Denita Wallace, Legita and Demetrise Little, Ladrisha McMillian, Eula Harris, Billy King, Leonard Wilson, Kelvin “Shorty” Wilson, Ruben Whimper, Dujuan Roden, Pakia Willis and Derrick Willis Bowie, Elder George Robinson (Deceased), Kyle Kelly, and many, many more …Special Sisters: Emma Kent of Charleston, MO; Ruth Ellis of Battle Creek; Maxine Willis of Kalamazoo, MI; Geraldine White of Robbins IL; Margret Williams of Chicago, IL; Juanita Taylor of Kalamazoo MI; Gertrude McMillian of Kalamazoo, MI; Mary Taylor of Kalamazoo, MI; and Rosa Little of Kalamazoo, MI; and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews, church family and friends.

Mrs. Georgia M. Bates

April 2, 1933 - April 24, 2015