Hilda Faye Bates, 91, of Flora MS went to be with the Lord on January 11, 2018.bShe was born in Louise, MS on March 8, 1926, to Sydney Alexander Purvis and Oassie Jo Hawkins Purvis.

She spent her childhood in Benonia MS where she attended Bentonia High School where she made lifelong friends. After high school, she moved to Natchez MS where she worked with Bell South Telephone Company. She retired from the King Daughters Nursing Home in Canton as a Nursing Assistant.

She was an active member of Simmons Memorial Baptist Church that she loved deeply. She loved to garden and work with her flowers - but mostly she was a devoted Mother who loved her family and thrived on family gatherings and cherished the times spent during holiday dinners with her family.

She was married to John Prentiss Bates, JR. for thirty-eight years and they had five children: John Morris Bates (Sandra) Pearl MS, Sandra Faye Cotton, Flora MS, Debbie Jo Holman (Frank) Brandon MS, Sydney Michael Bates (Angela) Yazoo MS, and Betty Lynn Bates Flora MS. She has twelve grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her sister Verna Mae Purvis Griffin, her sons John and Michael Bates and daughters Sandra Cotten, Debbie Holman, and Betty Lynn Bates.

She was predeceased by her husband JP Bates, JR, father Sydney Purvis, mother Oassie Purvis, brother Morris Purvis, nephew Billy Purvis and great-granddaughter Sara Kate Parish.

Donations can be made in name of Hilda Faye Bates to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.