"Willie's Gift" is a short documentary about Athens High School's 1975 state-champion football team. The doc will premiere on April 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the new Athens High Auditorium.
‘One of the finest men to ever walk the planet:’ Athens mourning loss of Hugo ‘Bubble Gum Man’ Bates
Hugo “Bubble Gum Man” Bates (Image from city of Athens Twitter account) Hugo loved all things Athens
Posted: Jan 5, 2021 4:08 PM
Posted By: Josh Rayburn
Hugo “Bubble Gum Man” Bates died Monday, officials announced on Tuesday.
A cause of death has not been released.
Bates was known for passing out gum and good cheer to all those around him.
“If you’ve lived in Athens long enough chances are he shared a piece with you and made you smile,” the city posted in a tribute. “Hugo loved all things Athens.”
Alabama community mourns death of Hugo ‘Bubble Gum Man’ Bates
Updated Jan 06, 2021;
By Lora Scripps The News Courier, Athens, Ala. (TNS) and Tribune Media Services
The AHS Band lost one of our biggest supporters tonight. Mr. Hugo Bates, aka “the bubble gum man”, loved not only the.Posted by Athens High School Golden Eagle Band on Monday, January 4, 2021
Some people are put on the earth to guide, love and inspire. Hugo “Bubble Gum Man” Bates, who died Monday, was one of those people.
Known for his seemingly endless supply of Bazooka, Bates gave more than bubble gum to Limestone County. He lent his ears to those who needed a listener. He used his voice and his smile to lift spirits. He was a helper, and it’s the time he spent encouraging countless others that will remain his legacy.
Debbie McElyea Blakely passed away Sunday, December 13, 2020 surrounded with her family and friends. Visitation will be Sunday, December 20, 2020 from 1 to 2 with memorial service following at Tanner High School Gymnasium.
Debbie was proceeded in death by her father Carl McElyea of Athens.
Debbie graduated from Clements High School, Calhoun Community College and Athens State College where she received her degree in Physical Education/Special Education.
Coach Blakely began her career at Tanner High School where she led two teams to State Championships and was named “Coach of the Year” each time. She continued her coaching at West Limestone and Ardmore where she won various titles. Debbie was inducted into the Limestone County Sports Hall of Fame. She was Director of JTPA for local youth summer jobs. After retiring from the Limestone County School System she began working as a Unit Director for the Athens Boys & Girls Club.
Funeral announced for Debbie Blakely, wife of Limestone County sheriff
Updated Dec 14, 2020;
Funeral arrangements were announced today for Debbie McElyea Blakely, a teacher, coach and the wife of Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely.
Visitation will be held Sunday from 1-2 p.m. at the Tanner High School gym. A celebration of life service will begin at 2 p.m. The services were announced this evening by the sheriff’s office. Attendance will be limited to 20 percent capacity because of Alabama Department of Public Health guidance to slow the spread of Covid-19, according to the sheriff’s office.
Debbie Blakely, a member of the Limestone County Sports Hall of Fame, died Sunday. She was 70.