Mr. Donald Ray Bates

Donald Ray Bates, 54, passed into the arms of Jesus on February 17, 2015. There will be a visitation on Thursday from 5 to 8pm at Chancellor Funeral Home in Florence, MS and an hour before the 11am funeral service on Friday, February 20, 2015. Burial will follow in Florence City Cemetery. Don enjoyed hunting and fishing, was the owner of Don’s plumbing service and a member of Quest Community Church. Don was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Webbie Bates; his brothers, Arthur, Jr. and Danny Bates. He survived by his wife of 21 years, Phoebe Breedlove Bates of Pelahatchie; Son, Matthew (Becky) Ammons of Lamar; Daughters, Adrienne (Andy) Thomason of Brandon and Amanda (Jamie) Haggard of Powder Springs, GA; brother, Harry (Beverly) Bates of Florence; sisters, Linda (Gordon Devine) Sweeney of Utica, Barbara (Danny) Morea of Pearl, Cathy (Tommy) Cockrell of Florence and Debra Polk of Florence; sister-in-law, Joan (Jimmy) Mize of Brandon; grandchildren, Tanner, Jacie and Keliann. Pallbearers are: James Sweeney, Danny Morea, Tommy Vanderford, Randy Thomason, Malcum Ainsworth, Kevin Bowman, Waymon Thornton, and Charles Thornton. Honorary Pallbearers are: Jimmy Mize, Tim Martin and Employees of Don’s Plumbing Service.