Barbara Kathryn Alford Gates, age 93, died of natural causes on December 31, 2020, at home in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

Her brother, Roger Alford and his wife, Martha Anne of Bolton, Mississippi and two children, Gene Gates and wife, Susan Morgan of Fresno, California and Kathy Gates Vail and her husband, Don of Hattiesburg, survive her. She also had two grandchildren, Morgan Gates and Aidan Gates. Her parents, Howard and Willia Alford, and two brothers precede her in death, Howard Alford, Jr. of Clinton, Mississippi and Wayne Alford of Jackson, Tennessee.

Barbara was born on December 22, 1927 in the Bolton/Raymond community and eventually moved to Canton where she attended Canton High School. After graduation she eventually went to work for the Secretary of State and stayed there until she retired. She then moved to Hattiesburg to be near her daughter and became involved in the community there. She was an active member of First Baptist Church for many years where she sang with the Visionaires and later attended Hardy Street Baptist Church where her interest centered around the Joy Club and her Sunday School Class.

She loved music and was a staunch supporter of the music department at William Carey University and the community chorus, The Meistersingers. Her other favorite pastime was shopping and her closet can attest to her love for clothes.

Visitation will be held from 11 am until 12 noon on Saturday, January 9, 2021 at Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home in Clinton. A graveside service will follow at Clinton Cemetery, in Clinton.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Alzheimer's Association.