Funeral services for Mr. Tommy Taylor Bates were conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, at Saulters Moore Funeral Home Chapel with interment following in the Carson Cemetery. Mr. Bates, age 71, entered into the eternal rest of his Lord Sunday night, Nov. 20, 2022, at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg after an extended illness.

The family received friends Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, from noon until the hour of service at 2 p.m. at Saulters Moore Funeral Home.

Tommy Taylor Bates was born on May 25, 1951, in Carson, to Rufus T. and Oddie Skinner Bates.  Mr. Bates enjoyed Westerns on television and especially loved camping with his wife of 19 years, Janice.  Together, he and Janice made many happy memories and friends along the way, camping in locations such as Yuma, Arizona and Abita Springs, Louisiana.  Mr. Bates was a retired truck driver and a member of Carson Baptist Church.

Mr. Bates was preceded in death by his parents, Rufus T. and Oddie Bates; brothers, Jesse Bates, Rufus Bates Jr., Michael Bates, Billy Bates, Lefty Percale Bates and his sisters, Emma Louise Fairchild and Elizabeth Allen.

His memory will forever be cherished by his beloved wife of 19 years, Janice Bates of Carson; daughters, Bettye Bates Vermilyea (Dan), of Collins, Julia MacDonald (David) of Rancho Santa Margarita, California, Gretchen Turner of Miami, Florida; son, Randy Bates (Lillie) of Tucson, Arizona; step-daughter, Charlene Ford (Bo) of Hattiesburg; sisters, Betty Brown and Patsy Cates, both of Carson.  Mr. Bates also leaves behind nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Online condolences and a guest registry are available at www.saultersmoorefuneralhome.com.