Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
Mrs. Sarah Saylor Bates, age 59, Kingsport, passed away Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Holston Valley Hospital.
Mrs. Bates was born November 27, 1966, in Johnson City, Tennessee, to the late John Dosser Saylor, Jr. & Phyllis Lee Scott Saylor.
She was a member of Trinity Baptist Church, where she was former Children’s Director.
Mrs. Bates was a Pre-School Teacher at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Kingsport. She was a former Children’s Director and Teacher at Little Bo Peep Learning Center.
Survivors include her husband, Michael Bates, Kingsport; three sons, Isaac Bates (Whitney) Chicago, Illinois, Israel Bates and Ian Bates both of Kingsport; sister, Johnnie Sue Hawley (Craig) Jonesborough; brother, John Saylor III (Earlene Hopkins), Jonesborough; nieces and nephew, Amanda Bates (Ricky Shelton), Paige Bates, Gabe Hawley (Britinee), Isabel Hawley-Lopez (JonMichael), Jack Saylor and Benjamin Saylor; great nephews and nieces, Zaiden Page, Zara Page, Weston Bates, Luka Hawley; great-great niece, Willow Page.
Celebration of Life services will be conducted 6:00 PM, Friday, September 4, 2026, at Trinity Baptist Church with Dr. Mark Harrod officiating. The family will receive friends from 4:00-6:00 PM Friday prior to the service.
