Mrs. Elsie L. Bates, age 82, of Guin, Alabama, passed away on Monday, March 30, 2026, at Princeton Baptist Medical Center in Birmingham. She was born on March 23, 1944, in Sulligent, Alabama, to the late Junior and Nettie Taylor Gunnels. Elsie was a member of Mt. Pisgah Methodist Church and a 1963 graduate of Winfield High School. After high school she worked for many years as a seamstress in several area sewing plants, including 26 dedicated years with Health-Tex. Later, she continued serving her community through her work in the child nutrition program at Winfield City Schools, where she remained until her retirement. Elsie enjoyed tending to her yard and flower beds, baking for those she loved, and most of all, spending time with her family.

Mrs. Bates is survived by her husband, Phillip Bates; her sons, Carl Bourland (Kelli) and Jason Bourland (Malinda); her grandchildren, Tiffany Canida (T.J.), Michael Bourland, Austin Bourland (Kadra), and Mason Bourland (Mackenzie),; her great-grandchildren, Rafe, Myles, Townes, and Emory Bourland and Russell, Raegan, Rowyn, River, and Gracie Galloway; her siblings, Vera Hill (Terry), Lenora Hubbert, and David Gunnels (Ann); and a host of nieces, nephews and other family members.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, John Gunnels and Paul Gunnels, as well as an infant brother.

Funeral services for Mrs. Bates will be held on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. from the Bowen Funeral Home Chapel, with burial to follow in West Alabama Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 3:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. service time at the funeral home.

Bowen Funeral Home of Winfield, AL serving the Bates family.