Barbara Jean Bates

Published 12:00 am Sunday, July 2, 2017

NATCHEZ — Services for Barbara Jean Bates, 64, of Natchez, who died Friday, June 23, 2017, in Natchez, were at 3 p.m. Saturday at Mt. Zion Baptist Church with the Rev. Kenneth Stanton officiating.

Burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the Natchez National Cemetery under the direction of Marshall Funeral Home.

Ms. Bates was born August 8, 1952, in Natchez, the daughter of Charles Bates and Leola Hammond Bates.

She proudly served her country in the U.S. Army. She was also a member of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church senior choir, Missionary Society and a Mt. Zion Baptist Church usher.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Dennis Earl Bates; one niece, Alecia Nicole Bates; lifelong companion, Edgar Kelly; and sister-in-law, Betty Ann Bates.

Survivors include one daughter, Evangela Bates of Natchez; one granddaughter, Sierra N. Bates and companion, Jamarcus, of Hattiesburg; two great-grandchildren, Demetrius Morgan Jr. and Landyn A. Bates; five brothers, Charles Bates and wife, Sondra, of Chicago, George Bates and wife, Bessie, of Natchez, Glen Bates and wife, Sherine, of Houston, Robert Bates and James Earl Bates and wife, Angie, of New Orleans; sister, Carlee Bates of Hattiesburg; and a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.