Roy Jr. Bates

Roy Jr. Bates of North Little Rock laid down his guitar and walked through Heaven's gates to be with his Lord and Savior on October 4, 2015. Roy was born March 28, 1941 to Roy and Pearlie Bates of England. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Lindsey and Carroll Bates, sisters, Dorothy Willis and Maxine Wallace, and grandson, Aidan Hopkins. Roy leaves behind his wife Gail Bates; sons Melvin, Steven, and Kevin (Brittany) Bates; his daughter Julie (Philip) Rogers, his sisters, Evelyn DePreist, Helen Meyers, Kay Conley, Carolyn (Walter) Canton, and Shirley (Gary) Bumpass. He also leaves his grandchildren, Brian Bates, Kathy Burnette, Damien Crouch, Allan and Heather Elliott, and Mason Rogers; great-granddaughter, Annabelle Bates, and numerous nieces and nephews. Roy worked on the farm most of his life in England, Scott, and Lonoke. His greatest joy was being with family and friends. For over 60 years he loved to sing and play the guitar, especially at the Union Hall and Hank's Station, both in Jacksonville. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, October 6 at Boyd Funeral Home, Lonoke. Funeral Services will be at the funeral Home Wednesday at 10 a.m. with burial in Sumner Cemetery. www.boydfuneralhome.net.