Wife says he is responsive, may be improving
McComb Ward 4 Selectman John Bates is on life support at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson in the intensive care unit, but his wife, Cadessa, reported his condition is improving.
Bates first went into ICU about two weeks ago and his wife reported progress on Wednesday.
“He is improving,” Cadessa Bates said. “He is responding.”
Mayor Quordiniah Lockley included Bates in the prayer to open the city meeting Tuesday.
“I do want to let the public know that Elder Bates, Selectman Bates, is still in the hospital in critical condition on life support,” Lockley said. “So, tonight, as we go in prayer, we’re also going to pray for Selectman Bates.”
Lockley prayed for Bates to return to his Ward 4 seat soon.
“Lord, we begin our prayer this evening praying for Selectman Bates,” Lockley said. “Father, he is in your hands. We simply ask that you allow your Holy Spirit, which has healing powers, to touch him. Heal him and return him back to his seat here on this board.”
Bates is the pastor at Rose Hill Free Will Baptist Church in McComb and Cadessa said the prayers have not gone unnoticed.
“He appreciates it because he’s a man of God and he believes in prayer, and I continue to ask people to pray for him because it’s encouraging,” Cadessa Bates said.
Selectman Matt Codding sent Bates flowers in the hospital.
“I appreciate it so much,” Cadessa Bates said. “That really touched my heart and I told him, I said, ‘John, you got some flowers from Matt Codding.’ I appreciated that when I saw the flowers and the card.”
Cadessa believes her husband is aware of what is going on.
“He’s fighting and he’s responding to us,” Cadessa said. “I strongly believe he is (aware).”
While Bates is in the hospital, his wife asked the city board to continue working on projects Bates started.
“Keep it going,” Cadessa Bates said. “Try to keep whatever he started. He would appreciate it.”
Bates had already advocated that some of the city’s American Rescue Plan Act funds be used to fix stormwater issues in the Donna Heights area, which is part of Ward 4.
Lockley previously said he would support spending ARPA funds to fix stormwater issues in the Donna Heights area, whether or not Bates is still in the hospital.
The UMMC website says the mailing address for patients is: UMMC / Hospital, Patient Name or Unit Name, 2500 N. State St., Jackson, MS 39216.
