Joan Bates

Joan Bates was born June 11, 1947, to the late Sarah Lily Mitchell Bates and Joe Bates, Jr. in Hamlet, NC, where she confirmed her faith in Christ at a young age and was baptized at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. Joan was raised by both her mother Sarah, and her grandmother, the late Lula Bell Mitchell. She finished her secondary education in Passaic, NJ, and went on to work in the public service sector of the workforce. She worked for the State of New Jersey first as a County Health Inspector. She then went on to work in the fields of customer service and human services throughout the years. She was accepted into the New Jersey Department of Corrections as an officer and graduated from the training program shortly after. She retired in the late 1990’s and settled back home to North Carolina in Greensboro. She had a great love for singing a wide genre of songs, and she spent lots of time singing tunes with local bands or as a solo act for groups when she found the opportunity. Joan settled in well in Greensboro, making many new friends and creating many memories. She joined Cornerstone Baptist Church under the spiritual leadership of Pastor Bill Davis. She was a faithful member and served on the choir, until her health started to decline. It was then that she thought it best to move to Mississippi, to be closer to daughter Shirelle and her family for support. Joan left this world and went on to be with the Lord on Friday, May 26th at Oktibbeha Regional Medical Center. She leaves to cherish her memories, one daughter, Shirelle Dionne Bates Kemp and her husband Carlos; (3) Grandchildren: Shaina Kemp Jefferson (Lee), Carlos L. Kemp, Jr., and Isaiah C. Kemp; (3) Great-grandchildren: Zion, Jayden, and Lailah, all from Starkville, and baby Jasir (who preceded her in death); a daughter she always thought of as her own, Guiselle Pitts Taylor of Cochran, GA, and her children: Shayla, Sierra, and Najawon Pitts, all from Cochran, GA. Joan has two sisters- Barbara Bates (Lexington, SC), Marion Bates (deceased) and 3 brothers- David Bates (Charlotte), Wayne Bates (deceased), and Robert Lewis Mitchell (deceased), several nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of close friends. Church: Cornerstone Baptist Church 3228 Hines Chapel Rd. Greensboro, NC 27405 Bill Davis, Pastor/officiant

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Joan Bates

June 11, 1947 - May 26, 2023