Kenny Ray Bates, 68, of Ovett, MS, died Tuesday, January 1st, 2019 at South Central Regional Medical Center in Laurel, MS. He was born Friday, March 17, 1950 in Laurel, MS.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 3, 2019 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Laurel. Funeral Services will be held Friday, January 4, 2019 at 11:00 AM at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Laurel with interment to follow in the Welch Family Cemetery in Gitano, MS. Bro. Roger Pruitt and Bro. Ken Harrison will officiate. Colonial Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (601) 649-3342

Kenny Ray loved his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was a member of Glade Baptist Church. He spent more than 40 years as a roofer in Jones County and surrounding areas. He enjoyed restoring and driving antique cars.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Edna Bates; parents, John Earl and Josie Bates and sister, Marie Sims.

Survivors include his children, Michelle Ishee (Ben), Ovett, MS and Keith Bates (Shay), Ovett, MS; grandchildren, Rachel DeLeon (Jorge), Ovett, MS, Carley Ishee, Ovett, MS, Madison Bates, Ovett, MS, Mason Bates, Ovett, MS, Macie Ishee, Ovett, MS; great grandchildren, Ben DeLeon, Oliver DeLeon and Sara DeLeon; siblings, Shirley Phillips (Bo), Laurel, MS, Jimmy Dale Pitts (Deb), Gulfport, MS, Glen Pitts (Edna), Laurel, MS, R.L. Pitts, Laurel, MS; sister-in-law, June Gibson (Ronnie), Gitano, MS; very special friend, Millie McCraw, Laurel, MS and a host of nieces, nephews and great nieces and great nephews.

Pallbearers will be Bruce Bynum, Raymond Lawrence, Ben Ishee, Jorge DeLeon, Travis Phillips, and Mason Bates.

Online guestbook may be signed at www.colonialchapellaurel.com