Funeral services for Mr. E. L. Oates, age 88 of Carthage, Texas, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 5, 2008 at Central Baptist Church in Carthage with Dr. Charles Dodson and Dr. William Everett officiating. Interment will follow in Restland Memorial Park near Carthage under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home. Mr. Oates passed away on Friday afternoon, May 2, 2008 at his home near Carthage.

E. L. Oates was born on August 31, 1919 in Tyler County, Texas to Robert E. and Phoebe Young Oates. Mr. Oates graduated from Chester High School and attended Sam Houston State University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture and his Master's Degree. Mr. Oates served his country in the Texas National Guard. His first job was as a teller in the First State Bank of Jasper. After college, Mr. Oates worked as an educator in vocational agriculture at Carthage I.S.D. where he was the director of vocational programs. Mr. Oates loved farming, ranching, and was instrumental in implementing the Nature Trail at Carthage High School where he enjoyed giving tours. Mr. Oates was awarded the American Farmer's Honorary Degree, the highest agriculture degree in the United States. He married Pauline Moseley Bruster in 1982 in Carthage. Mr. Oates was a longtime member of the Carthage Noon Lion's Club where he received the Melvin Jones Award. He was also a longtime member of Gideon's International. He moved to Carthage in 1950 from Goodrich, Texas and became a member and deacon of Central Baptist Church of Carthage. Mr. Oates was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Edna Harrell Oates; one brother, Brownie Oates; and one sister, Shirley Woodcock.

Mr. Oates is survived by his wife, Pauline Oates of Carthage; two daughters, Dr. Sylvia Hunt and husband Raymon of Los Colinas and Sherri Waters of Texarkana; one brother, Elmer Ray Oates and wife Dorothy of Woodville; one sister, Lanell Choate and husband Leon of Carthage; four step-children, Shirley Crofford and husband Jim of Dallas, Ron Bruster of Carthage, Mike Bruster and wife Bernie of Carthage, and Dr. Tim Bruster and wife Susan of Fort Worth; one grandson, Derrick Hunt and wife Melissa of South Lake; one great-grandson, Preston Lee Hunt of South Lake; nine step-grandchildren; nine step-great-grandchildren; and two special caregivers, Natalie Cole and LaShonda Starks both of Carthage.

Serving as pallbearers are Robert Oates, Richard Oates, Bobby Oates, Mike Bruster, John K. Cain, and Johnny Holmes. Serving as honorary pallbearers are Bob McDonald, Sam Raley, Ted Anderson, Dennis Smith, and Kenneth Denniston.

If desired, memorials may be made to Central Baptist Church, 220 W. Sabine, Carthage, Texas 75633 or Gideon's International, c/o Mr. Dennis Smith, 1017 Tomahawk Dr., Carthage, Texas 75633.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.

"This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."-Psalm 118:24