Mrs. Melissa Ann Bates

Melissa Ann Taylor Bates was born to Jack Taylor (now deceased) and Leora Nicholson on July 3, 1967. On December 12, 2016 at 5:56pm she flew up to heaven to live with her Savior the Lord Jesus Christ. Visitation will be 5-8pm Wednesday, December 14 and 10am until the 11am funeral service Thursday, December 15, all at Chancellor Funeral Home in Byram. Interment will follow at Lakewood Memorial Park. She is preceded in death by her father and brothers, David and Claudie Nicholson. Melissa is survived by her husband John Bates and daughter Makayla Bates , who was the joy of her life; mother, Leora Nicholson; brothers Jack Taylor, Artis Taylor, Pete Nicholson and Leroy Nicholson; sisters Minnie Williams, Glenda Parker, Myrtis Bynum and Mary Gardner; several aunts, uncles, lots of nieces and nephews on both her family and her husband’s family who loved her dearly. The family extends thanks to the doctors, nurses and friends who helped so much, especially Melba Burns who was such a great help.