McComb Selectman John Bates died Friday morning, weeks after he was hospitalized in a Jackson intensive care unit. He was 49.
Word of Bates’ death came prematurely, with city officials initially confirming he had died before reporting that doctors told his wife Cadessa that he still had a heartbeat but was not expected to live much longer. Mayor Quordiniah Lockley called to confirm he had died within an hour.
The cause of his death was not disclosed.
Bates was elected to the city board in June and took office in July, his first foray into politics.
He was a longtime car salesman and the Bishop at Rose Hill Free Will Baptist Church, where he gave away bicycles to children in the neighborhood at Christmas and Easter baskets.
Bates was airlifted to the University of Mississippi Medical Center last month following a sudden illness and placed in intensive care.
In his short time on the city board, Bates vigorously supported projects in his south McComb Ward, including the completion of the Alpha Center in Baertown as well as the use of American Rescue Plan Act funds to fix drainage issues in Donna Heights.
Bates won the Ward 4 selectman position with 52% of the vote in a runoff election after finishing first place in May’s primary, replacing Shawn Williams.
“I feel very grateful right now, especially for the community whom I love and got out and proved the fact that I was the man for the job,” Bates said after winning the seat. “I thank you, McComb, Ward 4.”
City officials will have to schedule a special election for Bates’ seat, but there was no immediate word on when that would take place.
