Bessie Mae Bates

On February 12, 1933, in Rosston, Arkansas Milton and Amanda Brewer Joe welcomed their 7th child of thirteen, a baby girl they named Bessie Mae. On May 6, 1947, Bessie M. Joe, became Mrs. Bessie M. Bates when she married the handsome Earnest Charles Bates. To this union their daughter, Joann was born. She accepted Christ at an early age. She was a faithful member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Malvern, Arkansas where she served as a deaconess, Sunday school teacher, financial secretary and on the pastors aide committee. On Monday, March 31, 2008, after 75 seasons, at her home on Veneer Street she departed this life and took flight for her eternal home in heaven. Awaiting her arrival and to welcome her home were her parents; Mr. & Mrs. Joe; her husband Earnest Charles who made his transition on October 10, 1979, and her infant daughter. Those left to forever cherish her humor and love are: her daughter Joann Bates-Harris of Malvern, Arkansas; her granddaughters, LaKeshia & her husband Pat Lomack, Wendy & her husband Tony Lomack all of Malvern, Arkansas; five great-grandchidlren, Jalan, BreKeyda, Shanice, Anizah, Aaleyiah & Aubriel. She also leaves her sister Lee Doshia Sanders of Magnolia, Arkansas; two brothers, Willie & his wife Exie Joe, and William Shula Joe all of Malvern, Arkansas; several nieces, nephews, cousins, numerous friends, and the Mt. Zion Baptist Church family. Mrs. Bates will lie in state at the funeral home on Friday, April 4, 2008, from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The family will greet and share with friends the Images of Life DVD at Mt. Zion Baptist Church from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. The Bates, Joe and Lomack families will celebrate the life of Sis. Bates on Saturday, April 5, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary of Mt. Zion Baptist Church located at 522 S. Banks Street, Malvern, Arkansas, where Rev. Orlando Freeman, the pastor will officiate. Rev. J. O. T. Lea, the pastor of Greater New Hope Baptist Church in Malvern, Arkansas will deliver a message of comfort. The committal service and final resting place will be in the Perla Gate Cemetery in Perla, Arkansas. Wendy & LaKeshia have selected Seneca Nolen, Keith McCauley, Keith Smith, John Smith, Donald Faison and Cecil Bryant to serve as bearers of the casket.