Tamara Bates

BATES, Ms. Tamara J. - Age 35, passed away Monday, April 4, 2011. Family hour 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 16, 2011 at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 1083 E. Stewart Ave., with funeral service commencing at 11 a.m. Pastor Lewis Randolph officiating. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Ms. Bates will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12Noon-8 p.m. Friday. Ms. Tamara “Poo” Bates Hairston was born March 1, 1976 in Flint, Michigan, the daughter of L.A. and Willie (Bates) Hairston. Tamara was a resident of Flint her entire life. After receiving her G.E.D., Tamara attended Mott Community College for 1 year, and then went on to Baker College where she was studying to become a CNA. Tamara was employed at K-Mart and McDonald’s in Flint. Because of her love for helping others she went into the Nursing field. Tamara worked at Helping Hands Nursing Service in Grand Blanc, MI for over 4 years before becoming a devoted worker at Greenley Square Manor in Burton, MI for 3 years. Tamara always maneuvered 2 or more jobs at once. Tamara enjoyed shopping; especially for beautiful purses and wearing “brand name” sport shoes. Tamara loved spending time with her son, family and friends. “Poo” was known for making you laugh. She was a very dear and special person. Ms. Tamara Bates-Hairston leaves to cherish her memory: one extraordinary son, Earvin Hairston; loving and caring parents, L.A. and Willie Hairston, all of Flint; 3 sisters, Lasonya Sharie Bates of Flint, Sabrina Smith of Crawford, MS and Yolanda Newton of Tennessee; 3 brothers, L.A. Demond (Meeka) Bates, Eric (Anita) Jones and Marlon Richardson, all of Flint; 5 nieces including adorable niece, Jayla whom she adored as her own; 2 nephews including special nephew, Juwann; 6 aunts, Lowenstine (Oliver) Burley, Brenda (Paul) Sharp, Mary Alexander, Ernestine Gray, Mary Hairston, all of Flint and Thelma (Charlie) Jones of Crawford, MS; 3 uncles, Will Hairston, Jr. of Flint, Alcurtis (Pearl) Hairston and Gilbert (Jeanette) Hairston, both of Crawford, MS; a host of cousins including special cousins, Veleta Smith and Reba Hairston, both of Flint; a host of other relatives and friends, including special friends, Maketa Burns, Quinsandra Coleman and Kelly Lewis. The family would like to express special thanks to Rev. Lewis H. Randolph and Antioch Missionary Baptist Church family.

Tamara Bates

March 1, 1976 - April 4, 2011