The Original Church of God, 735 Younglove St., is organizing a fundraiser to provide a grave marker for former county magistrate and gospel musician Kenneth Bates, who is buried at Cave Springs Cemetery.
The fundraising effort will begin with a gospel music program at 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, at the church, said Bates’ cousin Willie Canty.
Bates died in February 2023 at his home of natural causes. He was 71 years old. He had hosted gospel music programs on local radio stations for 45 years. His shows were broadcast on WHOP and WNKJ in Hopkinsville and on WEKT in Elkton.
Gospel groups and individuals slated for the program include Gospel Pioneers, Dr. Anthony Sanders, Mighty Warriors for Christ, Pure Voices, Pastor Tony Ward, Voices of Clarksville and the Garland Family.
Bates was involved in a number of volunteer programs in Hopkinsville, served as president of the local NAACP chapter and was a deacon, organist and Sunday school teacher at Original Church of God. He was retired from Phelps Dodge.
“He served his community in a lot of capacities,” said Canty.
During a concert in Jan. 8, 2022, to benefit tornado victims, Bates performed with the Fabulous Equinox, sharing the stage at the Alhambra Theatre.
A son who survived Bates is disabled and lives in California, so Hopkinsville friends and fellow church members wanted to make sure Bates has a headstone, said Canty.
Donors who want to support the effort may send donations to Original Church of God, P.O. Box 794, Hopkinsville, KY 42241.
Additional information is available by contacting Canty at 270-985-8559 or Pastor Tony Ward at 615-506-4567.
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. Brown was a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era, where she worked for 30 years. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board past president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition. She serves on the Hopkinsville History Foundation's board.
