Mary Ann Bates Garner

Mary Ann Bates Garner, 82, of Summertown, TN, passed away on Saturday, September 28, 2024, peacefully, at her home surrounded by family after a long battle with dementia. Mary Ann was born in Lawrence County to Jesse Wilburn Bates, Sr. & Velvie Pauline Clayton Bates on September 1, 1942. She was the fourth of their 10 children and attended school in Summertown. She moved to Franklin, TN as a young woman and worked at Dotson’s Restaurant in downtown Franklin until Kroger came to town in the mid-70’s. After the passing of her father, she bought the farmhouse in Summertown and began restoring it. She later retired from Williamson County Board of Education’s Food Service Department. Mary Ann is preceded in death by her parents Jesse Wilburn Bates, Sr. & Velvie Pauline Clayton Bates, grandson Joshua Michael Edwards, brothers Billy Gene Bates and Curtis Leon Bates. Mary Ann is survived by her loving husband Joseph Darrell Luquer, son William Michael Jenkins, daughter Melanie Denise Garner Edwards (Michael), stepson Joseph Michael Luquer (Joanne), sisters Eloise Pauline Bates Stephens, Margaret Elizabeth Bates Alderson, Clara Nell Bates, brothers Jesse Wilburn Bates, Jr. (Mary), Thomas Edwards Bates (Judy), Kenneth Joe Bates (Esther), Donald Ray Bates (Kathy), grandchildren William Justin Jenkins (Nichole), James Malcolm Edwards, T. J. Luquer, Sarah Nicole Jenkins, and Amber Luquer Ayres and great-grandchildren Brystol Maeve Jenkins, Ensley Belle Jenkins, and Joseph Ayres. The family will receive guests at 11:00AM with a Celebration of Life following at 12:00PM on Saturday, October 12th, 2024 at Summertown Baptist Church, 90 Hwy 20, Summertown, TN with the Brother Howard Kitter officiating. Memorials may be given to Alzheimer’s Association. Services in care of www.lawrencefuneral.net