Mr. Ernest L. Nates, 89, of Columbia, died Sunday, April 5, 2015. Born February 10, 1926 in Columbia, SC, he was a son of the late Lonnie and Pearl Sharpe Nates. A US Army veteran of WWII, Mr. Nates worked for over 40 years as a master mason with the Niggel Brothers Company, and he helped in the construction of many of the major hospitals, schools, and public facilities in South Carolina. He had a true servant's heart, and he loved to help his church by maintaining the facilities and assisting with repairs whenever and wherever needed. A member of Royal Pines Church, he had served for several years as a lay speaker in the United Methodist Church. Mr. Nates was a man of faith and love, and he will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Mr. Nates is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth "Beth" Nates; brother, Herbert Nates (Helen) of Wagener, SC; sisters, Evelyn Jordan (Odell) of Columbia, Molly Durden (John) of Springfield, MO, Nancy Adkins (Sonny), Joyce Chavis, Norma Nates and Thelma Foxworth (Don), all of Lexington, SC, Rickie Roach (Randy) of Irmo, and Marilyn Nates of Irmo. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife, Gloria Krummel Nates; daughter, Doris Nates; brothers, Ervin Nates, Marion Nates, and L.D. Nates, Jr; and sisters, Dorothy Jordan and Ruby Shumpert.

A funeral service for Mr. Nates will be held at 11 o'clock, Wednesday, April 8th, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Rd. Ext., Columbia, with The Rev. Nancy Brazell officiating. Burial will follow in Crescent Hill Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 5 until 7 o'clock at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Royal Pines Church, c/o The Rev. Nancy Brazell, 1443 Cherokee Blvd., Elgin, SC, 29045.