Mary Lee Gates

Mary Lee Gates, age 93, gained her wings on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at Covington Care Nursing Home.  She was born in Covington on December 24, 1929, to parents John and Alberta Jones, one of five children.  In her younger years, she worked with her father and siblings in the cotton fields.  Later in life, she was a homemaker and caregiver, babysitting her nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and helping her family and friends.  “Aunt Sis,” “Aunt Chair,” and “Ms. Mary” as she was lovingly referred to, was known as the “sweetest and meanest woman ever,” because she loved cooking and caring for everyone, but never batted an eye when it came to telling you how things were going to be.  She would give you the shirt off her back if you were in need.

She is survived by those she loved dearly, and took every opportunity to talk about with anyone who would listen: her sister, Ada “Babydoll” Scroggins of Byhalia, MS; her nephews, Roy (Mary) Scroggins, of Byhalia, MS, J.W. "Bubba" Jones, Jr., of Somerville ; her nieces, Barbara Jones, of Chicago, IL, Julie Goodman, of Halls, and Dottie Whittemore, of Stanton, and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.  Also dear to her heart was her caregiver Kathy Smith, who has been part of the family and such a blessing for the last 10 years of Ms. Mary’s life, going above and beyond like no other.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John Henry and Alberta Short Jones; her brother and sister-in-law, J. W. and Evelyn Jones; her sister, Bessie Mae Jones; her sister and brother-in-law, Dorthy and Freddie Whittemore; her niece, Barbara “BJ” Jones, and her great-niece, Elizabeth “Paige” Jones.

Funeral services for Ms. Mary will be held on Friday, October 27, at 1pm at Covington Funeral Home, with interment to follow in Charleston Cemetery.  Visitation for friends and family will begin at 11am at the funeral home.