Ms Margaret Bates Kellams, age 68, of Ringgold, Georgia, departed this life Thursday, August 15, 2013 at Memorial Medical Center in Chattanooga TN surrounded by her loving family. Margaret was born July 24, 1945 in Dalton, Whitfield County, GA. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Margaret Geneva Henry Bates. Margaret is also predeceased by brothers; Ralph Bates Jr, Charles and Ricky Bates, sisters; Genevia Bates and Martha Smith.

Margaret is survived by her spouse Lee Coran Jr., step-sons; Jimmy Coran, Danny Coran, Richard Coran. Brothers and sister in laws; Kenneth and Alice Bates, Randy and Betty Jo Bates, GW and Jeanette Bates, James Bates, Jimmy Bates, Ronnie Bates. Sisters and brother in law Betty Jane and Buddy Chastain and Syble Land all of Dalton, GA. Margaret is also survived by special family; Teressa Sellers of Ringgold, Kim Coran of Cohutta, Fannie Vinyard,Davey Vinyard, Brian and Martha Vinyard of Cohutta, Janice and Larry Tucker of Chatsworth. Special children; Nick Ware, Jaime Borden, Mathew Borden, Kimberly Edgeman, and Aleena Sellers. She had several grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Services to celebrate the life of Margaret Bates Kellams will be held Saturday August 17, 2013 at 3:00 pm at Melrose Chapel of Ponders Funeral Home with Reverend Brian Vinyard officiating. Eulogy by Nick Ware and music by Jimmy Rogers. She will be laid to rest at Colonial Hill Memorial Park Cemetery with family and friends serving as pall bearers.

The family will receive friends at Ponders Melrose Chapel from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Friday August 16, 2013 and Saturday until the hour of service.

Arrangements by Ponders Melrose Chapel, Dalton, GA. (706) 226-4002 YOUR SELECTED INDEPENDENT FUNERAL HOME