Mary Jane Bates, 61
December 26, 1964 – January 13, 2026
Tupelo-Mary Jane Cochenour Bates, at age 61, departed this earthly realm from AMG-Specialty Hospital in Batesville after a few months of declining health. Born in Englewood, California on December 26, l964 to the late Clarence Cochenour and Twila Gail Shively, she lived in several states in her growing up years. Several family members were employed by Cooper Tire and Rubber in Findlay, Ohio. When the Tupelo plant opened in 1985, much of the family relocated to Tupelo to work at Cooper locally. Mary Jane worked for over 30 years as a beautician at several Solons in the Tupelo area. Blessed with a giving heart and a sterling personality, Mary Jane never met a stranger. An avid conversationalist, she enjoyed the revelry of being with her family and friends. Her generosity was remarkable and she would often do without just to provide help for others. She was a longtime member of Central Church of Christ but had regularly attended Priceville Baptist Church for the last years. A lover of all God’s creation, she particularly loved animals, especially dogs, and felt there was no such thing as a stray.
A service celebrating her life will take place at 2 PM on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026 in the Sadie Holland Memorial Chapel at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo with Bro. Chris Carter, pastor at Priceville Baptist Church officiating. Burial will follow in Priceville Cemetery. Visitation will begin at Noon Sunday and continue until service time. For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed at hollandfuneraldirectors.com/Live-streaming at 2 PM Sunday and will be archived thereafter.
She is survived by her only child, her son, Trevor Bates-Webb and wife, Sarah of Tupelo and Trevor’s father, John Webb of Port St. Joe, Florida.; her siblings; Valerie Jo Solomon (Michael) of Tupelo; Julia Connolly (Bryan) of Tupelo, Coleen Harbin of Marion, Ohio, Debbie Tweed (Don) of Findlay, Ohio and David Tweed (Tracy) of Findlay, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Twila and a brother, Kevin Eatherton and a nephew, James Solomon.
Pallbearers will be Trevor’s close friends she loved as her own children. Condolences may be posted to Mary Jane’s obituary page at hollandfuneraldirectors.com/Obits.
Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.
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