Earvin Bates, Jr., 66, passed away on October 22, 2024, at Norfolk General Hospital.
He was born on September 2, 1958, in Warrenton, GA, to the late Earvin Bates, Sr. and Willie Ruth Lucas Bates. Earvin dedicated 20 years of honorable service to the United States Navy, enlisting on May 14, 1979, and retiring on May 31, 1999. After his naval career, he continued his commitment to service by working at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard.
Earvin shared a loving marriage of 42 years with his wife, Mary JoAnne Fambrough Bates. Together, they built a life filled with love and family, raising three daughters: Fredrinka Iyinbor (Westley), Sindrinka Bates, and Katrina Bates. He was a proud grandfather to three grandchildren, Christopher Iyinbor, Justin Vargas, and Jason Iyinbor, who brought him great joy. Earvin’s unwavering love for his family was matched only by his passion for sports and the outdoors.
A lifelong football fan, Earvin was rarely found without a game on, especially when cheering for his beloved Atlanta Falcons. When not enjoying football, he could be found on the greens of Bide-a-Wee Golf Course in Portsmouth, VA, his favorite place to relax and unwind. Earvin’s memory will be cherished by his family, friends, and all who knew him as a kind-hearted and dedicated man who lived life to the fullest.
