"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing, and though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing."   I Corinthians 13:1-3

Joyce Watts Bates, a long-time resident of Summit, died Sunday May 26, 2019, at Baptist Hospital in Jackson, Ms.

Born April 1, 1942 in Wiggins, MS, Joyce was the first of two children born to Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Watts.  Joyce started her educational career as a first grader in Brooklyn, MS.   In the 9 ^th grade, she moved to Arizona, but returned to Mississippi the following year.  The family settled in Summit, and Joyce graduated from McComb High School in 1960. After graduation, Joyce attended Southwest Community College in Summit where she met the love of her life, Charles Ray Bates.  They married November 9, 1962.  After her graduation from SMCC, Joyce served as BSU director.  She and Charles Ray had their daughter, Terri, on April 25, 1964.  Joyce worked in several office positions during the late 1960's and 1970s.  However, her love for children and teaching led her back to school, and she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from The University of Southern MS in 1979 and an M.S. degree in Speech-Language Pathology in 1980.

Joyce's early career as a speech-language pathologist included working with Home Health and Headstart agencies as well as private practice.  She expanded her practice in the early 1980s to include a private practice clinic, The McComb Speech and Hearing Center.  There, Joyce served both children and adults with speech-language and learning problems.  Her greatest joy came from her Homework Lab which she opened for students who needed help in school.  The Homework lab opened when schooldays ended and closed when the last child went home.  Children from kindergarten through high school as well as SMCC students came and stayed sometimes well into the evenings.  Joyce's fee was $5.00 a day. To Joyce, the Homework Lab was a ministry more than a job.    In the 1990s, she again expanded her practice and began to work with a number of rehab companies, first as a State Director in a variety of states, then as a Regional Director.  Eventually, she and Charles Ray owned their own company, The Summit Health and Rehab Services, Inc. The Summit grew and spread its services to several states over the nearly 17 years of its existence.  It   offered physical, occupational, and speech therapy in many settings; nursing homes, private clinics and hospitals.  Wherever Joyce worked, she was always successful.  She was the consummate professional who was respected and loved by her patients, co- workers, employers, and employees.

Joyce was a true Southern Lady.  She loved gardening and working in her yard with her flowers.  After her retirement, she was a member of the Summit Garden Club.  She loved to entertain and to share whatever she had with others.  All her life, she generously helped those in need.

Joyce loved her family.  She doted on her grandchildren and was involved in all their activities.  She  was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend.   Joyce was a woman of strong faith which she lived daily. Above all else, Joyce loved her Lord.   She was an active member of Summit First Baptist Church and will be sadly missed by her many friends there.

Joyce is survived by her husband of 56 years, Charles Ray Bates, her daughter, Terri Bates Montgomery (Richard), 6 grandchildren, Devin, Derrick and Kendall Baker, Logan, Regan, and Chandler Bates,  2 great-grandchildren, Maggie Rae Baker and Adelynn Rose Baker, her brother, Sandy Watts and sister-in-law, Nancy, from Knoxville, TN. She will also be missed by her nieces, nephews, and many special friends.

The family would like to express their thanks to Joyce's Sunday School Class and many other friends for their prayers, visits and the many wonderful meals.

Visitation will be Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at First Baptist Church Summit from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM and Wednesday from 10:00 AM until services at 11:00 AM with Rev. Rick Kennedy and Dr. Larry LeBlanc officiating.  Burial will follow in Woodlawn cemetery in Summit.

In lieu of flowers, the family would request any memorials be made to the DuBard School for Language Disorders at the University of Southern Mississippi (118 College Drive #5212 Hattiesburg, MS 39406) in Joyce's name.

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