Phil Cates

Phil Cates, 71, of Covington, passed away on Thursday, December 28.  Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 30 at the Covington Funeral Home chapel with interment to follow in Indian Creek Cemetery.  The family will receive friends two hours prior to the service at the funeral home.  Mr. Cates worked for Kelloggs for 32 years, served in the Tennessee National Guard and was a member of the Holly Grove Cumberland Presbyterian Church.  He loved his computer games and talking to people - he never met a stranger.  He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sylvia Ann Rice Cates; one daughter, Tammy Cates of Covington; and two brothers, Ray (Connie) Cates of Covington and Mike (Martha) Cates of Drummonds.  He was preceded in death by one son, Phillip Cates; his parents, Marshall and Una Grace Cates and one brother, Sidney Cates.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to either St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital or the Holly Grove Cumberland Presbyterian Church.