NATCHEZ — Services for T.J. “Jack” Bates, 86, of Natchez, who died Tuesday, April 27, 2010, at Lane Memorial Medical Center in Zachary, La., will be at 11 a.m. today at Covington Road Church of Christ with Dick Root officiating.

Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time today at the church.

Mr. Bates was born July 2, 1923, in Liberty, the son of Sammie Bates and Nellie Jane Carroll Bates. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the European Theater.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother; and his first wife, Lavern Whites Bates.

Survivors include his wife, Katherine A. Bates; one daughter, Connie Whitehead of Natchez; one stepson, Percy W. “Billy” Floyd and wife, Lisa, of Northport, Ala.; two grandchildren, Stephanie Morris and husband, Eric, of Woodville and Lance Cole of Natchez; one step-grandson, Garrison Floyd of Northport; two great-grandsons, Jon Berlin Morris of Woodville and Jace Cole of Natchez; three brothers, Earl Coleman and wife, Marlene and Donald Coleman and wife, Louise, all of Liberty, and Charles Coleman and wife, Patsy, of Jackson, La.; one sister, Margie Bond and husband, Gerald, of Denham Springs, La.; a very special cousin, Bill Etheridge and wife, Alma, of Natchez; and a number of nieces, including Margie Pullen of Natchez , nephews and cousins.

Pallbearers will be Robert Alexander, Glenn Etheridge, Eric Morris, Jim Hill, Talmadge Anderson and Albert Lee French.

Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Etheridge, men of Covington Road Church of Christ, Henry Lauchley, Paul Lynn, members of the Surefire Band, J.J. Whitehead and Gerald Bond.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, the American Heart Association, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN or to a charity of choice.

Online condolences may be made to www.lairdfh.com.