Harper Lee Oates

Harper Lee Oates Jr., age 77, died on Saturday, March 17th, 2018 at St. Bernard's Hospital in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He was born December 1st, 1940 in Whitton, Arkansas to Harper Lee and Mae Pauline Holder Oates. After graduating from Shawnee High School in 1958, Harper attended the University of Arkansas, receiving his degree in 1963. He went on to work for Arkansas Power & Light, later know as Entergy, for 54 years in sales and management. He retired in 2017. He was a member of Bassett Presbyterian Church in Bassett, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Frances Oates Little (Gene), and his brother-in-law John Cissell. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Charlotte Cissell Oates; his daughter, Cynthia Oates Gadberry (Emmett) of West Memphis; his granddaughter, Emma Lee Gadberry of West Memphis; two brothers-in-law, Carl Edward Cissell (Gwenda) of Bassett and Paul David Cissell of Bassett; four nieces and 10 nephews. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 20th, 2018 from 1:30-2:30 p.m., immediately followed by the funeral service at 2:30 p.m. Interment will be at Louise Chapel Cemetery at Joiner, Arkansas. Online condolences can be made at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/westmemphis.