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Dec. 31, 1983 – April 1, 2020

NATCHEZ — Graveside services for Pastor Kejuane Artez Bates, 36, of Vidalia, who died Wednesday, April 1, 2020, at Merit Health Hospital in Natchez will be today, April 7, 2020, at Southwood Lodge Baptist Church cemetery with Bishop Robert Cade officiating.

Burial will follow at the church cemetery under the direction of West Gate Funeral Home.

Kejuane was born Dec. 31, 1983, in Natchez, the son of Dorothy Bates and Ventress Poole. He was a graduate of Natchez High School and Hope Bible Institute where he received his doctorate in Bible Psychology. Kejuane also attended Alcorn State University and was employed with the Vidalia Police Department. He was the pastor of Forest Aid Baptist Church, the Minister of Music at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church and Executive Director of the Youth Department of the Antioch Missionary Baptist Association. He was also a member of the Enoch Lodge #18. Kejuane loved Alcorn football and the band, Vidalia Vikings, loved all genres of music and enjoyed mentoring young people.

He was preceded in death by his mother, grandparents, Elijah and Pearlina Bates, and uncle, Darnell Bates.

Kejuane leaves to cherish his memories, his wife, Chelsea Bates; daughter, Madison Zion Bates; father; sisters, Danessa McCullen and husband Jamal, Dominque King and husband John and Monica Skipper; father and mother-in-law, Autry and Constance Clayton; brother-in-law, Autry Clayton III and sister-in-law, Brittany Clayton; Godsons, Tyler Polk and Khy’len Bush; Goddaughter, Kadesia Hughes; best friends, Brandon Warner, D.W. Howard, Jr., Raymond Riley, Jr., Karl Wilson, Jr., Gary Stewart, Jr., and a host of other special friends and family.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.westgatefh.com.