Jeb and Rosemary Bates of Gainesville announce the engagement of their daughter, Meredith O’Neal Bates to John Baxter McWhirter, son of Tom and Rae McWhirter of Atlanta. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of the late James Emile Sr. and Lucille Suddath Bates, the late Daniel Hugh Haynes, George Everett Hope of Gainesville and the late Lois Little Hope. She is a 2007 graduate of North Hall High School in Gainesville.