LaGrange Daily News - Wednesday - February 20, 2008
Borne by a military honor guard, the flag-draped coffin of Army Sgt. Corey Spates arrives at LaGrange-Callaway Airport shortly after 10 this morning.
Family members were joined by service personnel from Fort Benning as the military plane arrived from Dover Air Force Base, Del. The 21-year old LaGrange native, killed Feb. 10 by a roadside bomb in Iraq, will be laid to rest Saturday after 2 p.m. services at Faith Baptist Church. An escort of about 12 motorcycle riders from the Patriot Guard – a national motorcycle organization formed to show respect for fallen heroes, their families and communities – escorted the procession to Striffler-Hamby Funeral Home.
Corey Emmett Spates
Sgt. Corey Emmett Spates, 21, passed away on Sunday, February 10, 2008 in Diyala Province, Iraq.
Corey was born July 3, 1986 in LaGrange. He attended Troup County Schools and played the saxophone in the band at Long Cane Middle School. He was a letterman of the Troup High School football team, and played defensive back in the playoffs at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Corey attended the Marc Richt football camp. At Troup High, he also was a letterman of the Swim Team. He was a member of Western Heights Baptist Church.
After high school, he joined the United States Army in May 2004 and served his first tour in Iraq from January 2005 to January 2006 and was faithfully serving his country in his second tour of duty in Iraq at the time of his death.
A memorial service was held in Iraq by his unit, 2/3 ACR Grim Troop, FOB Caldwell, on February 15, 2008 and was led by Lt. Col. Paul Calvert.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Celeste Spates of Hogansville; mother and step-father, Joy and Steve Thomas of LaGrange; father, Steve Spates of LaGrange; three brothers, Michael and Amanda Spates, Jacob Thomas and Patrick Thomas, all of LaGrange; grandparents, Donald and Jackie Estes of Adairsville, GA, Sandra and John Simpson, Jolly Spates, and Argle and Debra Thomas, all of La- Grange; mother-in-law and step-father-in-law, Cynthia and Greg York of Hogansville; father-in-law and stepmother- in-law, Scott and Susie Burke of Odessadale; three Nephews, Michael Crowder, Levi Crowder, and Corey Scott Spates; a niece, Georgia Spates; and his dog, Herschel and cat, Bruce.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, February 23, 2008 at Faith Baptist Church with Reverend Greg Brown officiating.
Burial with military honors will follow in Meadoway Gardens Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Western Heights Baptist Church from 5:00 to 9:00 P.M. on Friday.
Corey was an avid Georgia Bulldog fan and to honor Corey’s love for this team, the family has requested everyone to wear black and red for the funeral.
Flowers will be accepted or those desiring may contribute to either Western Heights Baptist Church, Children’s Ministry or the University of Georgia, Athletic Department, Attn: Georgia Bulldog Club, P.O. Box 1472, Athens, GA 30603, checks payable to the Arch Foundation in memory of Corey Spates.
Arrangements are by Striffler- Hamby Mortuary, 1010 Mooty Bridge Road. (706) 884-8636.
FUNERAL PLANS:
Funeral services for Army Sgt. Corey Spates will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Faith Baptist Church. About 3 p.m., the funeral procession will travel from Hammett Road to South Davis Road to Hamilton Road. Burial will be at Meadoway Gardens at 3292 Hamilton Road. Those who wish to line the roads during the funeral procession may do so on South Davis Road, parking at Baptist Tabernacle or New Community Church. | 
