Opal Bates, 87, a native of Hawkins Co., TN and a resident of Etowah for 53 years, passed away, Saturday, January 24, 2015 at McMinn Memorial Nursing Home in Etowah, TN. She retired from Athens Products in 1990 and a member of Coghill Baptist Church. She was a daughter of the late Will and Mae DeBord and was preceded in death by her husband, James "Jim" Bates; her son and daughter-in-law, Eddie and Duel Herrell; parents, listed above; brothers, Ira, Earl, and George DeBord; brothers-in-law, Earnest Begley, Edward Webb, Paul, Kenneth, Thomas, and Jackie Bates; sisters-in-law, Helen DeBord, Mary Harris, Martha Sue Webb, Katherine and Edna Rae Bates.

Survivors include 1st husband, Ralph Herrell; granddaughter and husband, Lori and Doug Justus of Knoxville, TN; grandson and wife, Glen and Karen Herrell of Morristown, TN; great-grandchildren, Dustin Herrell, Paul Douglas, and Jules Justus; sister, Jean Begley, brother, Emmett DeBord; sisters-in-law, Barbara DeBord, Cynthia Bates and Shelby DeBord Payne; brother-in-law, Lonnie Harris; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Funeral service will be held at 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 27, 2015 in the South Chapel of Bordwine Funeral Home with Rev. Joe Hatcher officiating. The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. prior to the service. Committal service will follow the funeral at Green Hill Cemetery. Doug Justus, Glen Herrell, Dustin Herrell, Tom DeBord, Ricky DeBord, Greg DeBord, and Mark DeBord will serve as pallbearers. Mike Begley, David DeBord, Tim DeBord, Bill Begley, and Paul Douglas Justus will serve as honorary pallbearers.