M.F. "Judge" Bates

Visitation will be held from 11am - 2pm Saturday, September 3, 2016 at Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home in Pearl. Funeral services will follow at 2pm in the funeral home chapel with interment at Georgetown Cemetery, Georgetown.

Mr. Bates, formerly of Jackson, was currently residing at Briar Hill Nursing Home. He was a member of Pearl Church of God of Prophecy. Mr. Bates enjoyed all youth sports but his favorite was baseball. He was an avid fan of the Atlanta Braves, New Orleans Saints and Mississippi State.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Daisy; and parents, John Edward and Cora Busby Bates.

He is survived by his daughter, Betty Bates Moore (Raymond); sons, Frank Bates (Rena), Sonny Bates (Jane), Chris Bates (Valerie), and Rick Bates (Suzi); brother, Burk Bates; 10 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to express a heartfelt thank-you to all the staff at Briar Hill Nursing Home for their compassion and care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Briar Hill Nursing Home, Activities Dept., 1201 Gunter Rd., Florence, MS 39073.