Mrs. Virginia L. Oates was born on March 6, 1941 to the late Mr. and Mrs. Presley Allen. Virginia departed this life unexpectedly on Tuesday, February 18, 2014. Six siblings and her husband of over 46 years preceded her in death. She was a member of North Red Rock Church of Christ for over 50 years, actively participating in a host of Christian activities and auxiliary groups including her most recent organization, The United Ladies of The Shoals. She worked for the Colbert County Board of Education for over 25 years. Additionally, she was appointed as the Barton, Alabama elections inspector; a position previously held by her husband for many years. She was united in marriage to Mr. Ulystean J. Oates, Sr., December 29, 1963, and to this union one son, Ulystean J. Oates, Jr., was born. She leaves to cherish her memory: a son, Ulystean J. (Shana) Oates, Jr. of Ooltewah, Tennessee; two loving grandsons, Ulystean J. Oates, III of Knoxville, Tennessee and Tate Allen Walker Oates of Ooltewah, Tennessee; three sisters, Mrs. Mary McClain of Atlanta, Georgia, Mrs. Maudie Reba Bailey of Florence, Alabama, and Ms. Katherine Allen of Florence, Alabama; one brother, Mr. Howard (Bessie) Allen of Florence, Alabama; three sister-in-law's, Mrs. Guernice Holmes of Birmingham, Alabama, Mrs. Virginia Oates of Cleveland, Ohio, and Mrs. Sylverta (Napoleon) Croom of Tuscumbia, Alabama; a devoted and loving cousin whom she loved like a daughter, Mrs. Carolyn Nadine (Willie) Brown of Barton, Alabama, devoted family friend, Mr. Willie Buchanan of Barton, Alabama, best friend, Mrs. Mattie Ann Watkins of Barton, Alabama; dear friend, colleague, and road buddy,' Mrs. Louise Greenhill of Tuscumbia, Alabama, ex-daughter-in-law, Shelia Lowery Oates and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and other relatives and friends.