Dorothy Marie Murphy Bates

December 10, 1938 – January 26, 2026

Dorothy Marie Murphy Bates of Waynesboro, Tennessee passed away on January 26, 2026. Born in Gallatin, Tennessee on December 10, 1938, Marie attended her early school years in the Gallatin community, playing clarinet in the High School band where she was also a majorette. After graduation she attended University of Tennessee at Martin, Memphis State University and Middle Tennessee State University, receiving her masters degree in education. She treasured her years teaching special education in the Waynesboro public schools. Marie met her husband Johnny in the park one day while he was flying a radio controlled model airplane. From this meeting blossomed a beautiful fifty five years together.

Marie loved working in the garden alongside her husband. She had a particular fondness of roses and watching the many birds visiting her yard. She was a woman of many talents. She was also an avid painter, joining her husband in many woodworking projects. In her early years she played guitar and was an accomplished ventriloquist, performing on television and other venues, receiving accolades in the Nashville Banner. She was co-owner of B & C Sales for the outdoor sales of Hardy heaters, and was co-owner of the Buffalo River Canoe Outfitters for recreational boating.

Marie is preceded in death by her parents Arthur Lee and Margaret Lee Phillips Murphy, husband Johnny Mack Bates, sons Larry Glenn Bates and Joey Lynn Bates, brothers Earnest Murphy, Charles Murphy, James Murphy, Eugene Murphy and Claude Murphy, sister Jessie Teissler, and faithful companions dog Tootsie and cat Mia.

She is survived by daughter Lisa Ann Bates and son-in-law Tommy Brittain, four grandchildren, Emily Jo Bates Keaton Mullins Meacham, Christopher Ryan Bates St. Andre, Joey Kyle Bates and John Carter Lewis Bates, and four great-grandchildren Andrew Keaton, Austin Keaton, Kirsten Keaton and Addison St. Andre.

Burial will be in Wesson Cemetery in Sugar Tree, Tennessee beside her husband.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her memory to our favorite pet charity or the Butterfly Foundation.