Mrs. Inez Bates, 92, of Laurel, MS passed from this life Tuesday, August 9, 2022 at her residence. She was born in Simpson County, MS on Monday, July 14, 1930 to William Andrew Atkins and Katie Emma Atkins. She was a member of East Laurel Pentecostal Church. She was a Homemaker. Mrs. Inez is preceded in death by her first husband, L. E. Clark, second husband, Arthur Bates; father, William Andrew Atkins; mother, Katie Emma Atkins; three sons, Dennis Clark, Andy Clark, Ray Clark; five brothers; four sisters. She is survived by her four sons, Everett Clark (Glenda), Ashford, AL, Paul Bates, Ellisville, MS, Phillip Bates (Shannon), Laurel, MS, Matthew Bates (Brandi), Williston, ND; three daughters, Deborah Cumberland (Curt), Waynesboro, MS, Sara Waller (David), Laurel, MS, Connie Sue Clark, North Carolina; 21 Grandchildren, 43 Great Grandchildren. Visitation for Mrs. Inez will be held from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Thursday, August 11, 2022 at Freeman Funeral Home, 1305 Skyland Drive, Waynesboro, MS. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, August 12, 2022 at Freeman Funeral Home in Waynesboro, MS with Rev. Doug Blackledge, Rev. Wayne Blackledge, Hilton Sullivan, and Libby Sullivan officiating. Interment will be in Maynor Creek Cemetery in Waynesboro, MS. Pallbearers are David Waller, Brendon Bennett, Logan Williams, Dokota Beatty, Cameron Herrington, Jonathan Waller, and Cody Beatty.