Mrs. Maxine Tenpenny Bates, age 74, of McMinnville, TN died Saturday, October 04, 2025 at Ascension St. Thomas Midtown Hospital in Nashville, TN surrounded by her family. She was born on March 21, 1951 to the late Virgil Ray Tenpenny and Sammye Milligan Tenpenny. She was a member of Central Church of Christ.  Mrs. Bates worked at Jennings Jeweler in Woodbury, was a cub scout leader, a teacher's aide for Centertown School, worked in the Warren County Register of Deeds office and worked in banking at AEDC, Home Federal, and Security Federal Savings Bank. Maxine loved to cook and host dinners for her family, adored spoiling her grandchildren, and enjoyed taking trips. She had a strong love for her family and cherished them above anything else.

Survivors include her husband of 45 years Bobby Bates, children Christopher Ryan (Haley) Bates and Robert Andrew (Mandy) Bates, sisters Jo Ellen (Terry) Davenport and Kathy McDowell, sister-in-law Barbara Tenpenny, brother-in-law John McDowell, grandchildren Addie Ryan, Henry Walker, and Meadow Scarlett. Special caregivers Joyce Nuss and Kathy Elrod also survive. She is preceded in death by her parents and brother Josh Tenpenny.

Funeral service for Mrs. Maxine Bates is scheduled for 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, October 08, 2025 in the McMinnville Funeral Home Chapel. Tommy Stone will officiate. Interment will follow at Centertown Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 10:00 A.M. until service time at 1:00 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Central Church of Christ Benevolent Fund, Lunches with Love at Ivy Bluff, or the Parkinson's Foundation. https://www.parkinson.org/

McMinnville Funeral Home is honored to be of service to the family of Maxine Bates