Individual Details

Death

James Franklin Bates, 78, a resident of 127 Eleanor Drive, Pass Christian, a well known Coast contractor-builder, died Wednesday night at the Garden Park Community Hospital, Gulfport. Born Feb. 17, 1899, in Waco, Texas, Mr. Bates had lived on the Coast since 1941. He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Pass Christian, where he served as a lay leader. Mr. Bates had built 15 churches on the Coast, nine of which are Methodist. He was a member of the Carpenter's Union, No. 1518. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Ivy Furr Bates, Pass Christian; four sons, James L. Bates, Panama City, Fla., Charles K. Bates, Pass Christian, Jerry F. Bates, Gonzales, La., and Robert W. Bates, Sarasota, Fla.; two daughters, Mrs. Hazel McDonald and Mrs. Helen Gladrosich, both of Pass Christian; two brothers, Burton Bates, Smithville, Miss., and Bernice Bates, Jackson; 31 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Friends may call at the Riemann Funeral Home chapel in Pass Christian from 6:30 to 9 pm, Thursday.
Sun Herald, Biloxi, Mississippi, February 16 1978