Michelle Breanne Bums Bates, 40, lived her life with a big heart, a determined spirit, and an unwavering love for the people—and animals— who were lucky enough to call her theirs. She was a devoted wife, a loving daughter and sister, a fiercely proud mom, and loyal friend.
She was bom in Lubbock, Texas to Brian and Glvndene Bums. Michelle grew up with a strong work ethic and a drive to succeed. She graduated from Frenship High School in 2004. During her high school years, some of her happiest memories were made in the show bam and on the road to major stock shows, showing steers and nurturing a lifelong love for animals.
She continued her education at Texas A&M University, graduating in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science. Michelle was proud to be an Aggie and a lifelong supporter.
After her mother’s passing while she was in college, she became an avid supporter of breast cancer awareness and helping to find a cure.
After college, Michelle made her home in Littlefield, where she worked for the Chamber of Commerce for two years. She later moved to Commerce and spent five years working with the Fconomic Development Board. Eventually, following in her father's footsteps, Michelle and her sister, Jennifer, started J&M Bums Transportation in Midland. While helping build and run the trucking business, Michelle lived in San Antonio, never knowing that life would eventually lead her back to someone who had always been there.
Michelle and Kevin had been lifelong friends, but after the Labor Day Dove Hunt in Paducah in 2018, they started dating and were married on October 19,2019.
When Michelle married Kevin and moved to Littlefield, she gained two daughters. Kaley and Kalyn. But “bonus mom” never seemed quite big enough to describe what they became to one another. Michelle loved them as her own. She wanted the very best for her girls and set high expectations. Their successes made her proud, and their lives became one of the greatest joys of hers. She loved being a cheer mom and watching Kalyn play basketball and run track.
When she moved to Littlefield. Michelle made Kevin promise that she could have animals, and she started Bates Funny Farm. What started with goats soon grew to include donkeys, miniature Herefords, alpacas, and plenty of stories to tell. Michelle especially loved feeding and loving on the baby goats. Bates Funny Farm was a perfect reflection of her—full of life, a little chaotic, often funny, and overflowing with animals that were very well loved. Her most beloved pets were Gemini and Arbor, her rescue dogs.
She is preceded in death by her modier in 2008; her maternal grandparents, Lloyd and Maxine (Becton) Spencer of Littlefield, her paternal grandparents, Hugh and Nellie (Madewell) Burns of Paducah: and her father-in-law. Dick Bates of Paducah.
She is survived by her husband. Kevin, of Littlefield: her daughters, Kaley of Canyon and Kalyn of Littlefield; her father. Brian Bums of Lubbock; her sisters, Jennifer Jones and husband, Bradly of Midland, and Kendall Bums of Lubbock. She is also survived by her nephews. Charlie. London, and Argenis Jones; Barrett Isbell; and Carson and Kaden Bates; her nieces, Madelynn Isbell and Hadley Bates: her niother-in-law, Shirley Bates of Paducah; her brother-inlaw and sister-in-law, Jay and Kerri Isbell of Lubbock; and her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Kyle and Melissa Bates of Seymour.
She was deeply loved, and she will be deeply missed. The life Michelle built with Kevin, Kaley, and Kalyn will remain one of her greatest legacies—a family brought together by love and tilled with memories that will be treasured for lifetime.
Graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 12,2026. at Becton Cemetery in Petersburg, Texas. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday. August 11,2026, at Hillcrest Funeral Home in Litdefield. Texas. Serving as pallbearers will be Kyle Bates, Jay Isbell, Jay Bums, Bradly Jones, Jason Detwiler. and Daniel Kihard. Honorary pallbearers are Conard Fran? and Allan Thompson.
Arrangements are under the personal care of Hillcrest Funeral Home in Littlefield, Texas.