Maxine “Bill” Morgan Bates, 75, of Franklin, passed away Tuesday, October 11, 2016. Born in Macon County, she was the daughter of the late Carl Morgan and Beulah DeHart Morgan. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Jessie Alexander and Linda Mason. Bill attended Cornerstone Presbyterian Church and was a member of Gideon’s Auxiliary where she served as past President, Zone Leader and Scripture Secretary. She also worked with the Reach to Recovery Cancer Program. Bill was a homemaker and loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Nelse Bates; two children, Lisa Decker and husband Mike and Greg Bates and wife Jamie all of Franklin; two sisters, Louise Cook and Geraldine “Tookie” Morgan both of Franklin; seven grandchildren, Zachary, Jeremy (Chelsea), Sarah, Kayleb, Ashlyn (Tyler), Courtney and Tanner; three great grandchildren, Leighton, Easton and Jaxon and several nieces and nephews. Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 15th in the Chapel of Macon Funeral Home. Dr. Tommy Jordan, Rev. Steve Reeves and Pastor Michael Stephens and Dr. Rick Holmes will officiate. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 – 8:00 p.m., Friday, October 14th at Macon Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Greg Bates, Mike Decker, Zachary Decker, Jeremy Decker, Kayleb Bates and Tyler Higdon. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr. Gus Wilde, Cassie Mathis and Rev. Vic Greene. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to CarePartners Hospice, 170 Church Street, Franklin, NC 28734 or one’s favorite charity. Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences can be made at maconfuneralhome.com