Gloria Patricia Bates, age 77, of Pascagoula, MS, passed away peacefully at her home on July 29, 2024 surrounded by her loving family. She loved spending time in the quiet of their deer camp watching her deer and her horse, Magic. She especially loved her special friends in her Sunday School class at church.

She was preceded in death by her son Ricky Bates and parents Emory and Mattie Skelton.

She leaves behind her loving husband of 59 years, Larry Bates; son Randy Bates (Deborah); daughters Lori Bates Donald (Jimmy) and Vicki Bates Ely (Jason); and sister Peggy Skelton Keller; grandchildren Montana Bates Hester (Daniel), Brandi Bates Langley (Drake), Coltan Donald, Chase Donald, Logan Havard (Nick), Justin Ely (Hayley), and Madison Harrington (Glynn); great-grandchildren Landin Hester, Kaidence Hester, Remy Hester, Emery Hester, Ruby Langley, Everly Donald, Ellie Donald, Marley Havard, Ady Havard, Raylen Havard, Ellie Havard, Rhylin Ely, and Piper Ely; numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at Ingalls Avenue Baptist Church: 4505 Ingalls Ave, Pascagoula, MS 39581 at 10 am. Services will begin at 11 am with officiants Reverend John Turner and Dr. Mack Morris, pianist Jeanette Bates. Serving as pallbearers: Jason Ely, Coltan Donald, Chase Donald, Jimmy Donald, Justin Ely, and Michael Keller, and honorary pallbearers: Wesley Bates, Allen Fincher, Carson Fincher, Brayden Fincher, and Glynn Harrington.