Stephen Bates

Stephen Bates, 65, of Louisville, MS., passed on Friday, September 5, 2025 at Regency Hospital, Meridian, MS. Funeral Service will be Saturday, September 13, 2025 at 2 p.m. from Agape Baptist Church, 302 Ball Drive, Louisville, MS. Visitation will be Friday from 4 until 6 p.m., from the Funeral Home. Rev. Robert Brownlee, Pastor, will deliver the Eulogy. Burial will be in the Saint James Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Beck Funeral Home of Louisville in charge of arrangements.

Stephen was born April 14, 1960 to the parents of Roosevelt Bates and Mabel Triplett Bates in Winston County Mississippi.

Stephen was preceded in death by his parents, Roosevelt and Mabel Bates; grandchild, Grandrain Bates; siblings, Charles E. Bates, Robert L. Bates, Samuel Bates, Travis Bates and Edna Bates.

Stephen is survived by his wife, Verneatha Bates; children, Steven G. Bates, Walter Bates and Dedrick D. Bates (Whitney); 8 grandchildren;  siblings, Lee Elma Bates, Charlena Ball and Roy Lee Bates; a host of nieces, nephews cousins and other relatives and family.