Jessie Lee Bates

1940 - 2025

Jessie Lee Bates was born July 23, 1940 to the late Willie and Rosie Mae Bates in Fayette County, Tennessee. She was the youngest of eight children: Dorthula, Fannie Mae, Ida Mae, Willie B., Augusta "Pap", Gussie, and Eugene Bates-all whom preceded her in death.

She professed her hope in Jesus Christ at a young age at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, where she served as a choir member and later as a Mother with the Mother's Ministry.

Mother Bates attended school in the Fayette County area and began working as a housekeeper prior to joining Collierville Health and Rehabilitation (formerly Care Inn/Heritage Manor), where she worked for 37 years. Afterwards, she worked as a caregiver prior to her retirement.

Mother Bates was known for her quiet, humble spirit and warm smile. She was well versed in the kitchen, making famous savory dishes and delicious desserts as only she could make with her love. She always prepared meals and put away treats for her "special loved ones". She enjoyed spending time on her front porch and chatting with her "gossip buddies" about the latest happenings.

She was preceded in death by her oldest daughter, Margaret "Mark" Bates; her son-in-law, Luther Lee Walker; and her youngest daughter, Sharon Denise Jackson.

Mother Bates was surrounded by her loved ones upon her transition on January 7, 2025.

To cherish her memory she leaves one daughter, Patricia Walker, a son Jerome Bates and a daughter-in-law, Katrice Bates, and son-in-law, Harold Jackson. To honor her legacy, she leaves a host of grandchildren: Reginald Bates, LaToya Walker, Shannon Walker, Renata Bates Marshall {Antonio), Rolando Bates, LaTanyia Walker, Rico Bates, Simone' Jackson, Luther Dontae' Walker, Ladarrius Stokes, Kayla Jackson, Paige Bates, LaJerica Bates, LaTara Bates, Cordasha Prewitt (Jaterrio), DeAnthony Burrow, and Leah Harper; great grandchildren, Antonio Bates, London Bates, Ayden Bates, Cayden Bates, Cameron Walker McClain, Grace Walker, Graysen Walker, Tristan Hill, Dedrick Sales, JeRome Fields, Tinsley Bates, Ladarrius Bates, Jr., Chance Godwin, Jorden Bates, Journei Prewitt, and great grand dogs, Kash and Asha "Osca". In addition, Mother Bates leaves behind several nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.

Visitation Saturday, January 18, 2025 from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Mt. Zion M.B. Church, 300 Mt. Zion Rd., Piperton, TN 38017. Funeral service Sunday, January 19, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. at Mt. Zion M.B. Church. Interment in church cemetery. Pastor Pierre Lyons, officiating.

H.C. Jett-H.C. Ford Funeral Home
203 Washington Street
Collierville, TN 38017
(901) 853-2323