Extracted from The Sun Herald (Biloxi, MS)
Friday, June 1, 2007

James Marion Bates

James Marion Bates, 84, of the Enon community in Walthall County, died May 29, 2007 in Tylertown. He was born March 4, 1923 in Pike County. He was the son of Charlie Bates and Bertha Bowlin Bates. He was retired from the MDOT. He served for 18 years as a constable in Walthall County and was a member of Enon Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. He was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII having served in the 80th Battalion of the 82nd Airborne Division in Casablanca, North Africa and later served in the U.S. Air Force.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, James ``Jimmy'' Bates; daughter-in-law, Sandra Tate Bates; four brothers, and a sister.

He is survived by his wife, Kathleen Smith Bates of Enon; two sons and one daughter-in-law, Rev. Eddie Bates and Peggy, of Citronelle, AL and Charlie Ray Bates of Keokuk, Iowa; one daughter and son-in-law, Norine and Dave Langston of Cheyenne, WY; brother, Clyde Bates of West Monroe, LA; four sisters, Ruby Lois Brekeen of Baton Rouge, Mary Harvey of Sartinville, Audrey Ferguson of Kenner, LA and Doris Perry of McComb; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation is Friday from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. services at Enon Baptist Church with Rev. Eddie Bates and Rev. Mike Alexander officiating. Burial will be in Enon Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Paul Haney, Jamie Bates, Lynn Harvey, Walter Cox and Grady Alexander.

Honorary pallbearers will be deacons of Enon Baptist Church.

The family requests memorials be sent to Enon Baptist Church, 1451 Hwy. 583 North, Jayess, MS 39641 or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Jones Family Funeral Services, McComb is in charge.