Tommy T. Bates

Funeral services for Mr. Tommy Taylor Bates will be conducted at 2:00 PM Friday, November 25, 2022, at Saulters Moore Funeral Home Chapel with interment following in the Carson Cemetery. Mr. Bates, age 71, entered into the eternal rest of his Lord Sunday night, November 20, 2022, at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg after an extended illness. The family will receive friends Friday, November 25, 2022, from 12:00 Noon until the hour of service at 2:00 PM at Saulters Moore Funeral Home. Pallbearers will Billy Bates, Dale Fairley, Lee Cochran, Jessie Bates, Eric Taylor, and Ricky Ainsworth. Tommy Taylor Bates was born on May 25, 1951 in Carson, MS to Rufus T. and Oddie Skinner Bates. Mr. Bates enjoyed Westerns on television and especially loved camping with his wife of 19 years, Janice. Together, he and Janice made many happy memories and friends along the way, camping in locations such as Yuma, AZ and Abita Springs, LA. Mr. Bates was a retired truck driver and a member of Carson Baptist Church. Mr. Bates was preceded in death by his parents, Rufus T. and Oddie Bates; brothers, Jesse Bates, Rufus Bates, Jr., Michael Bates, Billy Bates, Lefty Percale Bates and his sisters, Emma Louise Fairchild and Elizabeth Allen. His memory will forever be cherished by his beloved wife of 19 years, Janice Bates of Carson; daughters, Bettye Bates Vermilyea (Dan), of Collins, Julia MacDonald (David) of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, Gretchen Turner of Miami, FL; son, Randy Bates (Lillie) of Tucson, AZ; step-daughter, Charlene Ford (Bo) of Hattiesburg; sisters, Betty Brown and Patsy Cates, both of Carson. Mr. Bates also leaves behind 9 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Online condolences and a guest registry are available at www.saultersmoorefuneralhome.com