Poole - Bates vows exchanged April 1

MRS. JOSEPH HENRY BATES (LAURA JILL POOLE) Laura Jill Poole of Gaffney and Joseph Henry Bates of Grover were married on Saturday, April 1, 2006, at High Point Baptist Church in Gaffney. The Rev. Clint Phillips officiated the 6 p.m. ceremony that was followed by a reception at the church.

Mr. and Mrs. Bates are making their home in Gaffney after a wedding trip to Atlanta.

Mrs. Bates is the daughter of Rick and Nita Poole of Gaffney. Her grandparents are Lois Cobb, Lizzie Poole, Roy Poole, all of Gaffney, and the late Billy Cobb. A graduate of Gaffney Senior High School, she is employed by The Timken Company.

Mr. Bates is the son of Joseph and Esther Bates of Grover and grandson of Daisy Melton of Shelby, Lucille Bates of Grover, the late Thomas Hezekiah Melton and the ale Joseph Johnson Bates Sr. A graduate of Crest Senior High School, he is employed by The Timken Company.

Music was provided by Brad Phillips, pianist, and Stephen Phillips, Joel Phillips and Tabitha Phillips, vocalists.

The sanctuary was decorated with a pink and white fabric arbor

trimmed with rose petal ribbons. Silver candelabra accented with arrangements of pink flowers complemented the setting.

Escorted and given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a strapless white gown accented with side gathers and a chapel train. Light pink flowers with crystals enhanced the sweetheart neckline of the princess-style gown. Her headpiece of crystals and miniature pearls held a veil edged with crystals. She carried a handtied bouquet of mixed pink roses accented with sheer ribbon.

Andrea Gordon of Gaffney attended the bride as maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Julie Rogers and Kaci Gordon, both of Gaffney. They wore strapless tealength dresses in paradise color and each carried a candle in a wine goblet accented with pink Gerbera daisies around the stem.

Kristian Mullinax, niece of the bride, served as flower girl while Hannah Powell and Kali Bates, daughters, served as the miniature brides.

Steve Jones of Shelby attended the groom as best man. Groomsmen were Darren Hoyle and Bobby Stittum, both of Shelby.