Mr. and Mrs. John C. Bates of Fort Deposit announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Laurie Carlton Bates, to William Carey Johnson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Johnson Jr. of Greenville.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Snowden Jr. of Greenville and Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Bates Jr. of Fort Deposit.

Miss Bates is a 2001 graduate of Fort Dale Academy. She will graduate from Auburn University in December with a degree in public relations. While at Auburn, Miss Bates was a member of the Chi Omega social sorority.

She is currently interning with Comfort Care Hospice in Greenville.

The prospective groom is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Kennedy of Greenville and the late Mr. and Mrs. Harold Johnson of Greenville.

Mr. Johnson is a 1996 graduate of Fort Dale Academy. He will graduate from Troy University with a degree in sports management in August 2006. Mr. Johnson is currently employed part-time as an assistant coach for the varsity football and varsity boys' basketball teams, and as head coach for the J.V. boys' basketball team at Fort Dale Academy.

The wedding is slated to take place at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2005 at the First Presbyterian Church in Lowndesboro, with a reception to follow at Marengo Plantation.