Felicia Ann Reilly Bates

Felicia Ann Reilly Bates of Bowling Green Kentucky, formerly of Warner Robins Georgia, was born on October 8, 1943 in Nashville Tennessee and entered into the presence of her heavenly father on November 17, 2020 at the age of 77. Born to Catherine Elizabeth Easley Reilly and Leo Joseph Reilly, Felicia was the second of five children. Felicia was of the Catholic faith. She attended Saint Bernard Academy, and soon after high school joined the United States Air Force where she met her husband Jack.

Felicia was known for her big heart and witty sense of humor. She was known to many as Memaw, as she cared for children in her home after retiring from Radiology Associates in Macon, Georgia. She cared for and sacrificed much for her family and adored her husband, two sons and grandchildren. Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, John William Bates, “Jack”; three sisters, Patricia Reilly Holmes (Mike), Rebecca Reilly Brown (George), and Catherine Reilly Mitchell; one brother, Joseph Leo Reilly; and best friend, Sherron Bailey.

She is survived by her two sons John Bates (Lisa), and Jeff Bates and fiancé Junita; five grandchildren; Johnny Bates (Morgan), Jacqueline Black (Daniel), Heather Swanson, Mickey Bates (Jerlyn), Jessica Bates and fiancé Ryan; five great grandchildren; Christopher Swanson, Trenton Swanson, Jaycee-Jo Bates, Arabella Jae Bates, Lillian Tate Black, and little Jack Bates, due in May. Also surviving are brother-in-law David Mitchell (Kathey), sister-in-law Joan Bloodworth (Don); and daughter-in-law, Susan Bragg (Frank); nieces, Shannon Meyer (John), Michelle Holmes, Leah Bloodworth and Katie Mitchell; nephews, Mike Holmes (Linda), Chuck Homes (Shelly), Brian Brown (Alexa), Reilly Mitchell (Denise), Joey Brown, Andrew Mitchell, Donny Bloodworth and Scott Bloodworth; as well as several great nieces and nephews; and special friends Lynn Brooks and Kitten Arbuckle.

Visitation will be Saturday, November 28, 2020 from noon-2:00 p.m., with funeral mass following at Marshall Donnelly and Combs Funeral Home, Nashville, Tennessee. Felicia will be laid to rest in Andersonville National Cemetery, Andersonville Georgia, at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, November 30, 2020.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to: Dementia Society of America P.O. Box 600 Doylestown, PA 18901 or the American Heart Association, 10 Glenlake Pkwy NE South Tower, Suite 400, Atlanta, GA 30328.

McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.