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Aug. 28, 1953 – Nov. 20, 2024

NATCHEZ – Funeral services for Leroy Bates, 71, of Natchez, who passed away on Nov. 20, 2024, at his residence, will be held on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, at Southwood Lodge Baptist Church in Natchez, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Dr. Tracy Cusic officiating under the direction of Marshall Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation services will be held on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, from 3 until 5 p.m. at the Marshall Funeral Home Chapel in Natchez and on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, from 10 a.m. until service time at the church.

Leroy who was fondly known as “Kool” was born on Aug. 28, 1953, in Natchez, to Joseph Bates and Josephine Flowers Bates

Leroy was preceded in death by his father, and brother, Larry Bates; paternal grandparents, Joseph Sr. and Mary Bates; maternal grandparents, George and Mary Flowers.

Leroy leaves to cherish his memories, his mother, Josephine Bates; one son, Marcus Lamar Frye; five sisters, Margaret Holmes, Barbara Clark, Debra Davis (Dan, Jr.), and Christina Smith (Andrew, III), all of Natchez, and Patricia James of Houston, TX; two brothers, Glenn Bates (Stefanie) of Houston, TX, and Lonnie Tyler of Toledo, OH; two aunts, Myrtis Gordon (Don, Sr.), and Beatrice Carter; two uncles, Freddie Bates (Lena), and Charles Flowers, Sr. (Harriett); a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.