Bryan Allen Bates, 45, of Suwanee, Georgia, died unexpectedly Sunday, February 7, 2010 at his church. A native of New Orleans, La., a former resident of Etowah, and a resident of Suwanee for the past 5 years, he was a grandson of the late James and Louise Bates, grandfather, Quinton Carroll, and step-grandfather, Chris Gwinn. He attended Mt. Peran Church of God North in Marietta, Georgia; sponsored an overseas child through Compassion International and had a servant's heart. He received a BA degree from the University of South Carolina in Spartanburg. Survivors include his parents, Rev. Allen and Nancy Bates of Etowah; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Deb Bates of Knoxville, and Andrea and Michael Battel of Etowah; two nieces, Laura and Elaina Battel; grandmother, Mary Carroll Gwinn of Amelia Island, Fla.; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Funeral service will be held at 8 p.m. Thursday, February 11, 2010 in the South Chapel with the Rev. Lewis Metts officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday prior to the service. Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home at 10 a.m. Friday, February 12st and proceed to Green Hill Cemetery for the 11 a.m. committal service. Michael Battel, Horton Plumlee, Bruce Bates, Rual Watson, Paul Roberson, and Bob Lambert will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Haitian Relief Fund, c/o Coghill Baptist Church, P.O. Box 342, Etowah, TN 37331.