Whitney Eileen (Perkins) Bates is the biological daughter of J.C. and Lynn (Berry) Perkins, and the adoptive daughter of Johnny and Lydia (Taylor) Owens. She has at least eleven adoptive siblings, including Nakota, Philip, Ella, Sadie, and Bella Owens. She is married to Zach Bates. She is the mother of Bradley, Kaci, Khloé, Jadon and Lily.
Early Life
Whitney Eileen Perkins was born on September 21, 1993 to J.C. and Lynn (Berry) Perkins.[1]
At the age of thirteen, Whitney was placed into foster care for unknown reasons. She was taken in by Johnny and Lydia (Taylor) Owens[2], the parents of her deceased friend Laklee Owens. When Whitney was sixteen, the Owens were granted full custody of Whitney. Due to her age, she opted not to change her last name to Owens. The Owens family adopted a total of eleven children, including Whitney.[3]
Childhood Education
Whitney attended public school throughout her life, and graduated high school early. [3]
Family
See also: Zach Bates and Whitney Perkins Wedding
Courtship
In 2012, Whitney met Zach Bates, who was a regular customer at the Sonic where she was working as a carhop. The two spent several months becoming friends. On July 17, 2013, they announced that they had entered a courtship.[4] Although Whitney conformed to many of Zach's family's standards during the courtship, including wearing only skirts, the couple did set their own physical boundaries in their courtship.
Proposal
On September 11, 2013, Zach showed up at Whitney's house with a surprise. He had coordinated with her parents to have an overnight bag ready, and had spoken with her school and work to get time off for her. The two, along with members of Zach's family, flew to Orlando, FL. They took a boat ride in Clearwater, FL, where they were followed by dolphins, before attending a local church.
On September 12, 2013, Zach's parents scoped out a private spot at Smyrna Dunes Park and set up arrangements as Zach had planned while he took Whitney to get her nails done. When the couple arrived, Zach proposed, and Whitney said yes.[5]
Wedding
On December 14, 2013, Whitney married Zach Bates at 1:00pm at First Baptist Church in Lake City, TN, with a reception at Main Event in Clinton, TN.[6] Whitney had six bridesmaids, including three of Zach's sisters.[7]
Vow Renewal
On June 14, 2018, Whitney and Zach had a vow renewal ceremony at The Pavillion at Hunter Valley Farms.[8] This ceremony allowed Whitney's parents to attend after they weren't invited to her wedding.[9]
Motherhood
On March 3, 2014, Zach's mother Kelly commented on a post about a campaign rally for Zach's mayoral campaign saying that Whitney was pregnant with her first child. [10]
On October 29, 2014, Whitney gave birth to a son, Bradley Gilvin Bates, at 10:12pm at Tennova Healthcare Physicians Regional Medical Center in Knoxville, TN. He weighed 7 pounds and 10 ounces, and was 19 inches long.[11]
On October 29, 2015, at Bradley's first birthday party, Zach and Whitney announced that they were pregnant again.
On June 20, 2016, Whitney gave birth to a daughter, Kaci Lynn Bates, at 10:32pm. She weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces.[12]
In December of 2017, the family announced that they have purchased their own home, and are beginning construction to remodel it.[13]
Early in June of 2018, Whitney learned that she was pregnant again.[14] Zach and Whitney announced the pregnancy to their families at their vow renewal on June 14, 2018, but shortly after, they learned during an ultrasound that the baby had stopped growing.[15] On August 9, 2018, Whitney and Zach publicly announced that they had suffered a miscarriage.[16]
Whitney and Zach, announcing the pregnancy of their third child in May of 2019
On May 9, 2019, Whitney and Zach announced via People that they were expecting their third child, who is due November 10, 2019.[17] On July 25, 2019, they announced they would be having a girl who will be named Khloé Eileen.[18]
On November 7, 2019, Khloé Eileen Bates was born. She weighed 7 lbs, 9 oz.[19]
On November 24, 2020, Whitney and Zach announced via People that they were expecting their fourth child, who is due in June 2021.[20] On January 27, 2021, Whitney and Zach announced they would be having a boy, named Jayden Carl Bates.[21]
Shortly after Jadon's birth
On June 7, 2021, Whitney gave birth to Jadon Carl Bates. He weighed 7lbs 6oz and spent some time in the NICU due to his oxygen levels dropping.[22]The change in the spelling of his name was not immediately addressed.
On February 11, 2023, Zach and Whitney announced that they were expecting their 5th child, due in August 2023.[23] On March 25, 2023, Zach and Whitney announced that they were having a girl.[24] On June 4, 2023, Whitney confirmed their daughter was due on August 31, 2023.[25]
Shortly after Lily's birth
On August 15, 2023 Zach and Whitney announced labour had begun.[26] The following day they announced Lily Jo Bates had been born the previous evening. She weighed 6 pounds 12 ounces and was 19.25 inches long.[27]
Resume
Education
Whitney attended Lincoln Memorial University, where she was originally studying nursing. She received a degree in medical billing and coding and medical insurance.[28]
Carhop
At some point as a teen, Whitney began working as a carhop at Sonic Drive-In. It was there that she met her husband Zach, who was one of her customers.[29]
Television Appearances
Whitney is regularly featured on the UpTV show Bringing Up Bates, which chronicles the life of her husband Zach's family.
Social Media Influencer
Whitney occasionally posts sponsored Instagram posts for the company FabFitFun, a lifestyle subscription box.[30]
Realtor Career
Whitney began working as a realtor for Bailey & Company Real Estate in 2017.[31]
Bates Sisters Boutique
On March 18, 2019, Whitney, along with her sisters-in-law Erin Paine and Carlin Bates, announced that she was opening a clothing store called Bates Sisters Boutique.[32] The online clothing store officially launched on April 19, 2019.[33] Many of the items sold out within hours.[34]
Wedding Involvement
- bridesmaid: her sister-in-law Alyssa Bates's wedding to John Webster (5/24/14)
- bridesmaid: her sister-in-law Tori Bates's wedding to Bobby Smith (12/16/17)
- bridesmaid: her sister-in-law Josie Bates's wedding to Kelton Balka (10/5/18)
- matron of honor: her sister-in-law Carlin Bates's wedding to Evan Stewart (5/25/19)
- bridesmaid: her sister-in-law Katie Bates's wedding to Travis Clark (12/3/21)[35]
References
- ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/234456931/jimmy-carl-perkins?_gl=1*ie52p7*_gcl_au*MTcyNTIzMTAzNy4xNzA5NzIwNDMy*_ga*Nzk2MDkxNjA1LjE3MDk3MjA0MzI.*_ga_4QT8FMEX30*NzY1N2VmZWUtNGM2OS00MmMxLTg0YmUtMTg2ZTE5YzQ0ZWFiLjIuMS4xNzA5NzMxNDMwLjIzLjAuMA..*_ga_LMK6K2LSJH*NzY1N2VmZWUtNGM2OS00MmMxLTg0YmUtMTg2ZTE5YzQ0ZWFiLjIuMS4xNzA5NzMxNDMwLjAuMC4w
- ↑ https://imgur.com/nSDmBzM
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 https://web.archive.org/web/20140316015030/http://blog.thebatesfamily.com:80/2013/09/24/zach-pops-the-question/
- ↑ https://thebatesfamily.com/2013/07/courtship-chronicle/
- ↑ https://thebatesfamily.com/2013/09/zach-pops-the-question/
- ↑ https://thebatesfamily.com/2014/01/getting-ready-for-the-wedding/
- ↑ https://thebatesfamily.com/2014/01/zach-whits-wedding-party/
- ↑ https://www.uptv.com/bringing-up-bates/bringing-up-bates-episode-801/
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/BlL2SEugN9T/?taken-by=zachnwhitbates
- ↑ https://thebatesfamily.com/2014/03/duggars-campaign-for-zach/
- ↑ http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/news/bringing-up-bates-stars-whitney-and-zach-welcome-baby-boy-picture-20143010
- ↑ http://www.christianpost.com/news/bringing-up-bates-stars-zach-whitney-thank-god-for-birth-daughter-kaci-lynn-165526/
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/BcYGNj8Hmm8/?taken-by=zachnwhitbates
- ↑ https://www.uptv.com/bringing-up-bates/bringing-up-bates-episode-801/
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/BmdnqaTAy1v/?taken-by=zachnwhitbates
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/BringingUpBates/videos/1100393570128556/
- ↑ https://people.com/parents/whitney-zach-bates-expecting-third-child-after-miscarriage/
- ↑ https://hollywoodlife.com/2019/07/25/bringing-up-bates-erin-whitney-baby-names-genders/
- ↑ https://people.com/parents/bringing-up-bates-whitney-bates-zach-bates-welcome-daughter-khloe/
- ↑ https://people.com/parents/bringing-up-bates-whitney-bates-pregnant-expecting-4th-child-coronavirus-zach-bates-exclusive/
- ↑ https://imgur.com/a/hoVOmnl
- ↑ https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/pictures/whitney-and-zach-bates-welcome-their-4th-child-exclusive-photos/
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/CohuctxAJRl/
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/CqN8WoQsjc8/
- ↑ https://imgur.com/a/1almQak
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/Cv_K1XIpv9s/
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/CwBtsTeNLoR/?img_index=1
- ↑ https://thebatesfamily.com/about-family/
- ↑ https://thebatesfamily.com/2013/07/courtship-chronicle/
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/BjDLyjeniJ0/
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/zach.bates.5245/posts/1939912219607881
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/BvKO-K0F1Zl/
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/BwdAGNqh3I9/
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/BwgCTDlB6jx/
- ↑ https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/pictures/bringing-up-bates-katie-bates-marries-travis-clark-photos/