Johnie Allen Cates

Mr. Johnie A. Cates, 102, of Graham departed this life for his heavenly home on Monday, June 12, 2017 at 9:10 p.m.

A native of Orange County, he was the husband for 73 years to the late Myrtle Conway Cates and the son of George Allen Cates and Ernie Lee Harris Cates, both deceased. Mr. Cates retired from Western Electric with 31 years of service. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving during WWII where served for two years on the U.S.S. Wisconsin in the Pacific.  Johnie was a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Graham.

Survivors include three daughters, Jo Ann Bridges of Burlington, Linda Norton of Graham and Nancy Morrison of Elon; a son, Robert “Bobby” Cates of Newport, NC; 16 grandchildren; 40 great grandchildren; and 14 great-great grandchildren.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a son Benny Ray Cates; two sisters, Lila Brady and Mae Latta; and three brothers, O. V. Cates, Bill Cates and Onie Cates.

A funeral service will be held at Bethel Baptist Church in Graham on Thursday, June 15, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. by the Rev. David Jackson and Rev. James Black.  Burial will follow at Alamance Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends on Thursday from 12:00 p.m. to 1:15p.m. at the church prior to the service.  Other times the family will be at the residence.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bethel Baptist Church, 238 Dixon Rd., Graham, NC 27253.

Rich & Thompson Funeral Home and Crematory in Graham is assisting the family.

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