Samuel R. Bates

Samuel Rudolph Bates, 86 of Pascagoula, passed from this life on Friday, September 17, 2010 in Pascagoula. He was born March 24, 1924 in Philadelphia, Mississippi. Mr. Bates was a United States Army veteran and a graduate of Mississippi State University where he earned a bachelor of science degree and master's degree. While teaching Math and Science at Moss Point High School from 1950-1965, he was selected Teacher of the Year, received National Science Foundation summer scholarships to Ole Miss and LSU, as well as a stipend to Auburn University from International Paper Company. He served as charter president of the Moss Point Teachers Association and was president of the Moss Point Civitan Club. He would later move to the Pascagoula School System where he taught at Pascagoula Junior High and Colmer and served as principal of Jackson Elementary and Arlington Elementary before retiring in 1986. After retirement, Mr. Bates worked for Southern Industrial Guard Services and as a court bailiff. He was Past Grand Master of the F&AM Lodge 419 of Pascagoula, a former volunteer for Singing River Hospital Auxiliary where he was chairman of the escort committee and was a longtime member of Arlington Heights Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel Jessie & Cassie Gipson Bates; sister, Mary Inez McLaughlin; and brothers, Willie Jim Bates, Jessie J. Bates, James F. Bates and Joseph C. Bates. He is survived by his wife of fifty-one years, Edna S. Bates of Pascagoula; children, Thomas Y. and Cindy Bates of Wade, James D. Bates and Sami Gray of Vancleave, Mary LuCindy Bates of Pascagoula; Sister, Frances Rutledge of Dallas, Texas; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Visitation will be Tuesday, September 21, 2010 from 6:00 until 9:00pm at Holder-Wells Funeral Home in Moss Point. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 22, 2010 at 10:00am from the funeral home chapel with Rev. Ben Carlisle officiating. Interment will follow at Jackson County Memorial Park in Pascagoula with Masonic Rites and full military honors given at graveside. Arrangements by Holder-Wells Funeral Home, Moss Point, Mississippi.

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Samuel R. Bates

March 24, 1924 - September 10, 2010