Mary Ellen Bates Flowers of Vicksburg died Friday, April 1, 2016, at her home. She was 69.

Mrs. Flowers was born in Canton, Miss., the daughter of George E. and Fay D. Bates, both of whom preceded her in death. She spent much of her adult life in Utica and moved to Vicksburg in 1985.

She was financial secretary for First Presbyterian Church, where she was a member and an elder. She previously had been co-owner of Walnut Hills Restaurant and had been employed by Bill Harris Real Estate and DirtWorks.

Mrs. Flowers was an avid cyclist, runner and kayaker.

Survivors include her daughter, Donna Flowers, and her son, Carl Flowers, both of Vicksburg; four granddaughters, Jennifer Ellen Rogillio Ratliff (Dan) of Vicksburg, Courtney Rogillio Dubard (Nathan) of Clinton and Stephanie Flowers and Laura Flowers, both of Vicksburg; two great-grandchildren, Jackson and Mary Thompson Ratliff, both of Vicksburg; a sister, Patricia Stewart (Johnny) of Rainier, Wash.; and a brother, Albert Dell Bates (Nan) of Rockingham, N.C.

Services will be at 3 p.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church with Riles Funeral Home in charge. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until the service at Ward Hall at the church.

Pallbearers will be Ronnie Andrews, Curtis Buford, Harry Gilliland, Bill Harris, Martin Pace and Randy Sherard.

Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Bill Pierce III and Bob Gordon and members of Faith and Practice Sunday School Class and the Women of the Back Row.

The family would like to thank Camellia Home Health and Hospice and Charlotte Miller.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church.