Gussie Mae Bates, 83

Mrs. Gussie Mae Bates, Mt. Olive, MS, passed away at her residence on December 3, 2022

 

Mrs. Bates was born and raised in Mt. Pleasant Community.  Her parents were Methodist and Baptist affiliated and she attended both denominations .  She attended school and graduated high school in 1956 from Lincoln Attendance Center, Mount Olive, MS. She was employed for some time at Sanitorium, Magee, MS.  Later moving to New Orleans, LA where she attended Charity School of Nursing and worked at Touro Infirmary.  

 

She was an original member of the gospel singing group, Christian Harps, News Orleans.  The group recorded albums and was on the #1 Charts in the city for months.  An original song was "Oh, He's So Good".  While in New Orleans, she worked in the laundry industry, tamale factory, a corner grocery store and was a CNA.  When she returned to Mount Olive to care for her mother she was also employed with NEO and was an outstanding seamstress.  She also assisted in transporting community friends to their medical appointments.

 

She was a faithful member of Mt. Pleasant CME until her health failed.  She served as a Missionary and Stewardess member, as well as singing in the church choir and could always be found serving in whatever capacity she was needed.

 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Nathaniel Griffith and Inis McNair; grandmother, Hulda McNair; husband, Ernest Bates, sisters, Annie Jane and Mae Francis; brother, Nathaniel Jr and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, and many friends.

 

Surviviors include a sister, Lee Pearl Isles, Houston TX; Sons, Ronnie(Jacqueline)-a certified mechanic and trucker, Mt. Olive, Donald(Bonnie) Retired Navy, Petal, Ms, Connell(Rochelle) Horn Lake), Retired Navy, and daughter, Dr. Debbie McNair( Major, USAF nurse), League City, TX.  Children raised through love, Valerie(Leroy) Langford, New Orleans, Lonnell Griffith, Mt. Olive, and  Ronnie"Ed" Smith, Savannah, GA.  A generation of grandchildren and their spouses( biological and inherited through love)  along with great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends( especially those from the Mount Olive Senior Citizen Center.)

 

Honorary Pallbearers:  Jason McNair, Fred McNair, Harvey Easerling, Robert McInnie, Lonnell Griffith, and Johnny Feazell

Active Pallbearers:  Bryce Burkett, Donald Grant, Jr., Daniel Thomas, Jr., Rosheam Grant, Robert McNair, Jr., and Alfredo Jackson.

 

Flower Bearers:  Nieces

 

Pastor Marvin McLaurin was the Officiant.