Mrs. Louise (Roach) Bates

Mrs. Louise Bates transitioned peacefully on Tuesday, November 25, 2019, at home in Atlanta, Georgia, with her loving and devoted daughter, Juanita Bates Bonds, her granddaughter/caretaker, Esola Bates, and hospice nurse, Ms. Rebecca Morgan, by her side. Her transition was peaceful, as her spirit ascended to Heaven surrounded by so much love from all of her children, son-in-law, Calvin Bonds, and family members.

Mrs. Bates was born in Fayette, Mississippi, on July 6, 1933, to Mrs. Mable Riley Roach and Mr. Willie Roach, Sr., who both preceded her in death. She is survived by her only living sibling, Ms. Doris Roach Jackson. She was preceded in death by: her brothers, Willie Roach, Jr. (twin brother, Will T.), Jeremiah Roach, and Bernard Roach; and sisters, Willie Mae Roach (Whitey), Elizabeth Roach, and Betty Roach.

Mrs.. Bates was baptized at a young age on the Delta Bridge by Rev. Hank Mitchell. She was a longtime and faithful member of Mount Olive Baptist Church in St. Joseph, Louisiana, Pastor Adrien Lundy.

In 1952, she met Vecy Bates, Sr., and eloped to St. Joseph, Louisiana, to marry her longtime friend and love. From this union, God blessed the Bates with 12 children, three of which preceded her in death: Mary Louise Hartley, John L. Bates, and Eugene Bates. She leaves to cherish her loving memories to nine of her children: Vecy Bates Jr., Bobbie Bates, Charles Bates, Diane Bates, Katy Bates Carter (the late Willie Carter), Brenda Bates, Dennis Bates (Jimmie), Cassandra Bates Lang (Desmond), and Juanita Bates Bonds (Calvin).

She was blessed with grandchildren, three of them who preceded her in death: Marshall Harley, Jr., Shaun Hartley, and Jermaine Bates. She leaves to cherish her memories: 15 grandchildren, Carolyn Hartley, Rene Hartley, Regina Hartley, Lashaun Hartley, Ericka James, Albert Bates, Brodric Bates (Kia), Derrick Bates (Elanda Butler), Robin Scott, Destini Lang, Manzie William, Jr., Esola Bates, Mia Bates, Jermaney Bates, Jada Bates, ; as well as a host of great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews—all of whom she was extremely proud of.

Mrs.. Bates was a dedicated mother first and foremost. She treasured her children and embraced every moment with them. Mrs. Bates especially loved her role as a dutiful wife and homemaker to her husband, Mr. Vecy Bates, Sr. After 64 years of marriage, Mr. Vecy Bates, Sr., preceded her in death on July 25, 2016.

Mrs. Louise had a vivacious personality and always made people around her smile. She captured hearts everywhere she went and never met a stranger. She loved to “love on people,” and sew quilts and dolls with her kids’ old clothes. Her hands were rarely still.

One of her favorite pastimes she so richly enjoyed was watching her favorite television show, “Trapper John, MD.” while on the phone with her mother, Mrs. Mable Riley Roach. Another joy in her life, other than her children, was working in her garden. She also loved cooking for her family and always made sure that everyone had eaten. It was a little-known fact that she often went to bed hungry, but always made sure all her kids had eaten before thinking of herself.

She was a Christian woman who made sure that she kept things right in her life. She often said, “Life was hard, and we were poor, but rich in love and commitment to God and family.” Mrs. Bates would always give glory and honor to God in any aspect of her life. Words that she lived by were adapted from James 4:15. Her mantra even as she transitioned, “If the Lord Say the Same.”

Her life was one of joy, for she knew and loved the Lord. When God came for her, she was not surprised—but ready. She was loved by all who knew her. She had a soft spot in her heart for her great-grandson, Jeremiah Bates, and grandson, Derrick Bates, Sr.

We will forever celebrate her life and her smile. We will share her story for generations to come. She is now resting peacefully at home with the God who knew her best.

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