A. Southall

Born in Thompson Station, Tennessee on June 14, 1925

Departed on September 15, 2019 and resided in Bon Aqua, Tennessee

Augustus Bates Southall, 94, of Bon Aqua, TN, peacefully passed away, at his residence, on September 15, 2019. The funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm, September 19, 2019, at Harpeth Hills Funeral Home. Ann Cover of South End United Methodist Church will be officiating along with his great nephew, Scott Langford. Visitation will be held, Wednesday, September 18, 2019, 4-8 pm and Thursday, September 19, 2019, 11 am until time of service at Harpeth Hills Funeral Home. Interment will follow the funeral at Harpeth Hills Memorial Gardens with his nephews to serve as pallbearers.
Bates was born in Thompson Station, TN on June 14, 1925, to James Oliver and Era Bates Southall. Bates demonstrated his fighting spirit early on when everyone was convinced he would not survive since he was born two months premature. He not only survived, he thrived! Bates was the second of eight children. As a child, Bates and his brothers found themselves in one adventure after another! If they weren't pulling pranks on their grandmother, they were fishing and hunting in Dewey Woods. Growing up during the Great Depression wasn't easy for his family, but Bates, did his part and helped work the family farm during those hard years. Bates also loved sports and played baseball, basketball, and football throughout his school years.
During his senior year of high school, Bates was drafted into The United States Army, where he served as Second Scout and Rifle Grenadier, in Company G, 142nd Regiment of the 36th Division. After completing basic and advanced training, Bates landed in the Volturno Valley, Italy, in 1944. After a series of mishaps, along with divine intervention, Bates was able to save a fellow wounded soldier off the battlefield, shortly before being captured by German forces in the Vosges Mountains. Bates was a POW from September 30, 1944 until his liberation, on April 12, 1945. He endured many trials and tribulations during his captivity, by nearly dying in a train accident, from surviving on grass soup and rotten eggs, to walking fifty-two days straight across Poland in sub-zero temperatures, he never lost his fighting spirit or his dedication to his fellow soldiers and his country. After the war, Bates returned to Springhill High School and obtained his high school diploma.
Bates received many distinguished honors and medals for his service during World War II, such as, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Bronze Star, the World War Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, P.O.W. Medal, French Legion of Honor, Craix De Guerre for the Division of Italy and France, and induction into The American Society of the French Legion of Honor.
In his later years, Bates held office as, Tennessee State Commander of Ex POW's, Commander of the Middle Tennessee Chapter of Ex POW's and Vice President of the Middle Tennessee 36th Division Chapter. Bates gave many speeches, walked in many a parade, and dedicated the latter part of his life to sharing his incredible story of survival and experiences as a POW. It was during one of these conventions that Bates met Robert Doby, newly elected President of the 36th Division Chapter, and he soon discovered that he was the soldier he pulled off the battlefield 60 years before! The two formed a lifelong bond that lasted until Robert's death.
Bates married Gladys Marlin on June 29, 1946. Upon marrying, they moved to College Park, Maryland, where they both pursued jobs at the University of Maryland. While living in Maryland, Bates attended the Boyd's School of Commerce in Washington DC. After a few years, they returned to Nashville to start a family. Bates and Gladys were blessed with two children, a son, Chuck, and a daughter, Jan. After living many years in Nashville, they settled on a beautiful farm in Williamson County, Tn. Bates and Gladys were overjoyed to welcome four grand-daughters, who he called, "his babies," and she called, "her little gals," and six great-grandchildren. During their marriage, Bates and Gladys traveled, throughout the region, showcasing his wood carvings at Art and Craft shows before ending up at Dollywood for six weeks. As her health declined, they were able to travel less and less but Bates continued to carve and she continued to paint. Bates cared for Gladys throughout her many illnesses and for 26 years he honored his vow to care for her through sickness and in health. Bates and Gladys were happily married for 53 years before she was called to be with the Lord, in 1999.
After Gladys died, Bates was fortunate to find love for a second time in his life. In 2001, Bates was attending an Ex POW convention in Gatlinburg, where he met Betty Mangrum, who was attending with her best friend, Marjorie Sinor. The two found they had a lot in common, shared mutual friends, and truly enjoyed each other's company. They were married March 10, 2002. Bates and Betty embarked on a seventeen-year journey that allowed them to see the world. They traveled to France, for Bates to accept The French Legion of Honor, and all across the US to attend 36th Division and Ex POW conventions. Bates and Betty were avid domino players and enjoyed spending many evenings with Robert and Reba Schmidt. They also enjoyed going out to dinner with their many friends and attending South End United Methodist Church. They were both blessed to find each other in their later years and the love they shared was immeasurable. Bates a Betty wrote a book "The Luck of the Duece" in 2009 that tells the story of his life.
From childhood on, Bates proved to be a hard and diligent worker. During the course of his 35-year career, in the insurance industry, Bates held a variety of positions. He started as a Claims Adjuster, worked his way up to Claims Manager, to eventually hold the position of Assistant Vice President at Corroon and Black Insurance Brokerage Firm.
Bates is preceded in death by his wife, Gladys Marlin Southall; his parents, James Oliver and Era Bates Southall; brothers, James (Lillian) Southall, Claude Southall, Keith (Robbie) Southall, Frank (Vivian) Southall; sister, Rebecca (Fred) Harris.
Bates is survived by his wife, Betty Mangrum Southall; his children, Chuck (Sheryl) Southall and Jan (Buddy) Walden; brother, Clarence (Florence) Southall; sister, Era M. Southall; his grandchildren, Shannon (Wayne) Jones, Misty (Joe) Ernest, Tiffany (Tim) Mann, and Natalie Greene (James Weatherspoon); his great grandchildren, Bailey, Ian, Tristan, Jordan, Brody and Mattox, along with other cherished family and friends.
The Southall family would like to thank Kindred Hospice for their exceptional care during his illness. If you would like to honor Bates, please donate to the charity of your choice.