Oct. 17, 1926 – Dec. 18, 2012

NATCHEZ — Services for David Bates, 86, of Natchez, who died Monday, Dec. 18, 2012, at Adams County Nursing Center, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Southwood Lodge Baptist Church with the Rev. Tracy Cusic officiating.

Burial will follow at the church cemetery under the direction of Robert D. Mackel and Sons Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from noon to 6 p.m. today at the funeral home and from 10 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church.

Mr. Bates was born Oct. 17, 1926, the son of Joe and Mary Coleman Bates. He was a member of Southwood Lodge Baptist Church and worked as a carpenter.

Mr. Bates loved going to church and attending gospel singing programs.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lillie Mae Bates; two brothers; two sisters; and one grandchild.

Survivors include three children, Jennifer Smith and husband, Michael, of Oviedo, Fla., Antonio Hunt of Natchez and Curtis White III of Fort Bend, Ind.; two brothers, Freddie Bates and wife, Josie, and Johnny Bates and wife, Shirley, all of Natchez; two sisters, Exelene Arbuthnot and husband, Charles, and Mittie Ford, all of Natchez; one cousin, James Coleman; four sisters-in-law, Josephine Bates, Mrytis Gordon and husband, Don, Georgia Thornburg and husband, Luther, of Natchez and Beatrice Carter and husband, Julius, of Cannonsburg; special niece and nephew, Rose Bates and Donnell Bates; five grandchildren, Travis Beckem and wife, Kimberly, John Beckem, Carl Bates, Zavier Bates and Kiera Bates; and a number of other relatives and friends.