Rosetta M. "Bates" Thompson

A Time to Be Born

Rosetta Maryella (Bates) Thompson affectionally known as "Peaches" or "Jones" was born on March 12, 1945, to Herman Sr. and Ernestine Bates in Chicago, IL. She was the oldest child born out of seven children. She was also blessed to have an additional sister, Allison Hamerla and two brothers, Douglas Pinnick and Charles Russell whom she loved dearly.

A Time to Reverence God

Peaches attended All Nations Church of God in Christ as a child where she was baptized and received the gift of the holy ghost under the leadership of the late Pastor Harvey Brooks. She later moved her membership to Mt. Zion Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Dr. Issac Singleton Sr. Peaches was a long-time member of the Voices of Zion for over fifty plus years where she enjoyed singing in the choir. God gifted her with a beautiful soprano voice the voice of a song bird. As a soloist she was asked to sing at several weddings, funerals and special occasions throughout the Joliet area. Her signature song was "Going Up Yonder". She truly loved her Mt. Zion family and the Voices of Zion choir.

A Time to Learn and Work

Peaches left high school at the age of seventeen to get married and start a family and to this union they were blessed with five children: Leslie Velice, Leonard Leon, Rebecca Diane, Christopher Lamont and Michael Anthony.

She worked several jobs throughout the Joliet area but her most important job to her was to stay home and raise her children. After raising her children, she decided to make her mark in this world and do something she always wanted to do, so she enrolled into Joliet Jr. College to obtain her GED. After receiving her GED, she enrolled into Cosmetology school to become a licensed Beautician. Peaches was a gifted beautician for over fifty plus years and she found joy in doing hair for women and men making them feel good about themselves and looking their best. She took great pride in her work and she created some long-lasting relationships over the years.

A Heart Full of Family Values

Peaches loved cooking you could always find her in the kitchen trying a new dish, her cooking skills have been passed down to her daughter and granddaughter. Her amazing mac and cheese, sweet tea and kool-aid was so delicious she had people coming back for more. She was the one to do Sunday dinners at her house always wanting the family to be together. She loved shopping and she always looked good in whatever she wore. We cannot forget her love for jewelry to match those beautiful outfits. In her spare time she was intrigued and had a love for History whether it was the history channel, biblical history or just family history she really enjoyed learning and she enjoyed watching the "Voice" "America's Got Talent" and "American Idol."

A Time to Rest

Peaches peacefully went to sleep on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 1:00 am, and opened her eyes in glory with her daughter by her side. No more pain, no more sickness and no more disappointments. She is now resting peacefully in the arms of Jesus.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Herman Sr. and Ernestine Bates, maternal grandparents, Anna Bell Adams and Toth McGowen, paternal grandparents, Glen Sr. and Clantha Bates, one son, Leonard Leon Thompson Jr. (2020), grandson, Davonte Ulmer Jr., one sister, Kimberly Holloman, one brother, Willard Bates (infancy), nephew, Christopher Bates, Uncles and Aunts, Glen Bates Sr., Raymond Bates, Thomas Bates, Norma Brooks, Rebecca Knight, Marjorie Billinger, Rose Harris and Ella Daniels.

Her Legacy Lives On………

Peaches leaves behind in the hands of her almighty God, two daughters; Leslie Thompson of Joliet, IL, Rebecca (Michael) Travis of Crest Hill, IL; two sons, Christopher (Trish) Thompson of Joliet, IL and Michael (Therese) Duncan of Minneapolis, MN; two sisters, Dorcas Shoemaker and Allison Harmela; five brothers, Clarence Bates Sr., Herman Bates Jr., Timothy Bates, Douglas Pinnick and Charles Russell; her last uncle, Clabon (Armarie) Bates; eighteen grandchildren, Christopher (Little) Thompson, Kevin Travis, Tierra Smith, Michael Smith, Seth Cartwright, Brandon Travis, Bryson Travis, Micah Travis, Ashley McClain, Michael Duncan Jr., Davonte Ulmer, Nutiya Thompson, Kristen Thompson, Essena Hamm, Tianna Robinson, Daniel Thompson, Braxton Thompson, Leonard Thompson III; thirty-one great-grandchildren; one goddaughter, Monica Smith, one bonus daughter, Crystal Ulmer and one bonus granddaughter, Tuesday Henderson; special nieces, Tameko Harden and Kashima Davis; special cousins, Jeanette Green, Gloria Green, Treshaun Bates, Shann Bates, Brooklyn Bates and Dakota Bates. Peaches was blessed to have four bestie's friends forever who was more like her sisters: Phyllis Gray, Margo Harris, Terry Ann Jenkins and Doris Hemphill. She also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews and cousins,

2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith; Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.