The Passing of Real Daughter Lola Bates Honeycutt

(published in the Fall 2006 Lost Cause)

By David Chaltas, Richard G. Brown & Don Shelton

It is my sad duty to report the loss of a real daughter. Ms. Lola Bates Honeycutt, the daughter of Captain Robert Bates died on September 4, 2006. She was one hundred years old, having been born on March 28, 1906. She was the wife of the late Roosevelt Honeycutt. He was born on February 15, 1903. Roosevelt was the son of Grant and Mary Ann Stamper Honeycutt. They had five sons and two daughters: Larry (Pauline), Grant (Joy), Glenn (Gladys), Jack, the late Sammy Honeycutt, Jessie (Kenneth R) Collins and the late Pauline Jackson. She had fifteen grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren. All thirteen of her brothers and sisters had previously passed to a better world. The Nelson Frazier Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. Our condolences go out to the family. A letter of resolution has been issued along with flowers to honor her.

Ms. Lola Bates Honeycutt was born on March 28, 1906. She was the daughter of Captain Robert and Elizabeth Bentley Bates. Elizabeth Bentley Bates was the daughter of Lieutenant Aaron Rice and Darcus Hall Bates . Their union resulted in four children.

Lola Bates Honeycutt’s uncles from both sides of her family served the Confederacy, as well as her father. Her mother’s brother, Aaron Rice Bentley was born in 1836 to Solomon and Mary Bentley. Two more brothers were Barrett and Benjamin Bentley. Barrett served in Diamond’s 10th KY Cavalry, Company E. Aaron Rice reportedly was six foot tall and had dark hair. He enlisted in the 13th KY Cavalry on October 18, 1862. Aaron Rice Bentley had served in the 5th KY ‘Orphan Brigade’, Company F and was elected Lieutenant in Company H of the 13th Kentucky Cavalry. Union Home Guards wounded him (allegedly the notorious Clabe Jones) during a skirmish on Mason’s Creek in Perry County, Kentucky. The date was April 14, 1863. He recovered in time to be captured on July 7, 1863 in Gladesville, VA, and was taken to Camp Chase on July 20, 1863. He was then taken to Johnson’s Island on October 10, 1863. He took the oath on May 12, 1865, having been imprisoned the duration of the war.

Lola’s father, Captain Robert Bates was the son of John W. Bates and Sarah Waltrip. He was born on August 24, 1825. He was a brother to Private James Bates, Sgt. Jesse Bates, Uriah Bates and Private Martin Van Buren Bates. Captain Bates enlisted on November 5, 1861, into the Confederate Army. He was in the 5th KY of the famed Orphan Brigade. He was at the Battle of Middle Creek. He served as a Captain in the 7th Confederate Cavalry, Company A. He died on September 24, 1921. Ms. Lola was fifteen years old and remembered several stories about her father. During visits (she did not like interviews), she revealed some information that was previously unknown and her knowledge assisted in the gathering of more data for the camp archives. Ms. Lola enjoyed gardening, cooking and her grandchildren. She was a big prankster and enjoyed a good laugh. She disliked ‘republicans and publicity.’ She was a very independent lady. She stated that she peddled eggs from her home in Knott County, Kentucky across the mountain to Neon, Kentucky (over 10 miles one way). She recalled with much affection a time when she was five days old that her daddy took a picture of her prior to his trip out west to look at a ranch he thought of purchasing. She treasured that picture of her being held by her father. She told stories of her father walking to Mt. Sterling driving cattle and geese to the auction sales. They would stop and camp, broiling meat over an open fire. The distance from their home to Mt. Sterling was at least 120 miles! Another story she shared with affection was of her brother Beckham Bates (Beckham Bates Elementary is named after him) being paid two dollars a day for hoeing, in the ‘lead row’ and that she refused to work unless she got the same amount of pay that her brother was receiving! She was the mother of seven and at the time of her passing had fifteen grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren. She had 13 brothers and sisters that preceded her passing. They were Bobby, Hennie, Jess, Sam, Tandy Uriah, Joe, Ralph Booten, Beckham, Amanda Bates Calhoun, Minerva Bates Holbrook, Cleo Bates Baker, and Eliza Bates Collins. She will be missed by all but the circle is now unbroken. A letter of resolution has been sent to the family. Ladies and Gentlemen let us tip our kepis and offer our up a prayer for the family, as we honor one of our own; for Lola Bates Honeycutt, a real daughter has gone home.