DINWIDDIE, Sept. 1 – Bessie Bates Joyner, 91, of Dinwiddie, passed away Monday, August 31, 2009.

She is survived by three children, James E. Bates of Pennsylvania, Robert L. Bates and wife, Esther of Rice, and Lucy M. Robertson of Dinwiddie; 11 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Ben Yeatts of Kenbridge; and a sister, Mary Weaver of Chester.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Richard B. Bates and J.T. Joyner, as well as three sons, Stephen Milton Bates, Richard Earl Bates, and Alvin Thomas Bates.

The family will receive friends at Jennings-McMillian Funeral Home in Crewe, Wednesday, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m., Thursday, at the Light-house Church of God of Prophecy in Burkeville, with interment to follow in Trinity Memorial Gardens, Rice.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lighthouse Church of God of Prophecy, c/o Gail Cook, 386 Mountain Hall Road, Crewe, VA 23930.

Jennings-McMillian Funeral Home, Crewe, is in charge of arrangements.