Eva “Carolyn” Bates, 84, passed away peacefully at Baptist Desoto Hospital on Thursday, March 10, 2022. She passed holding her son and daughter’s hands as they prayed, sang her favorite hymns, and felt the loving care of Baptist nursing staff.
Carolyn was born on June 2, 1937, in Morton, Mississippi. She married the love of her life Wilbur Lee Bates at age 19. They were happily married for 60+ years. He passed in 2016 and although she continued to mourn his loss, she lived a very active and fulfilled life continuing to work as a jury bailiff in DeSoto County until her death. Carolyn loved the court room and was highly regarded by all. She was also a successful business owner and hair stylist for many years and devoted to her family’s happiness. She loved all sports, in particular college basketball and football.
She is survived by her daughter Beverly Morgan and son-in-law Steve Morgan; son Rickey Lee Bates and son-in-law Tim Combs; foster son Jimmy Glover and daughter-in-law Beverly Glover; three grandchildren Chad Johnson, Ashley Jones / John Jones, and Paige Fetters / Alex Fetters; two step-grandchildren Jeremy and Cameron Morgan and 11 great grandchildren Peyton Johnson, Jonah and Addison Fetters, Jase and Jacob Jones, Ivy, Warren, Corrine, John Henry, and Cayde and Camdynn Morgan. She is also survived by her only living sister and brother, Maxine Coghlan of Brookhaven MS and Reverend JB Miller of Nashville TN, along with multiple nieces and nephews. She was a member of Church Road Baptist Church. Visitation will be at Twin Oaks Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home, 290 Goodman Road East, Southaven MS on Saturday March 12 from 12:00 pm until the time of the service at 2:00 pm. Burial will be private.