Patsy Ruth Bates

PATSY RUTH BATES, 88, of Little Rock passed away October 24, 2019. She was born to the late Charles and Minnie Lee Bryant in Lonoke County on May 9, 1931. She graduated high school at 16 and moved to Little Rock to work for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company as an operator. It was here she met a young airman, Mike Bates. They married March 15, 1957 and raised their two children in North Little Rock. In 1982 they started Sunbelt Mechanical, which they owned and operated for many years. Patsy collected cars, especially red sports cars. She and Mike enjoyed many road trips and traveled all over the world. She loved her family and enjoyed spending time with each of them. She is survived her daughter Ginger White (Terry); grandsons, Gable White (Katie), Jesse Bates (Sara), Skylar White; granddaughter, Josie Bates; great-grandchildren, Nora and Scout White; sister Martha Bowen; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Mike; son, Steve Bates; six sisters, and two brothers. Visitation will be held from 2-3 p.m. Monday, October 28th at Smith-North Little Rock Funeral Home with funeral service at 3 p.m. Interment at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery will be private. Services entrusted to Smith-North Little Rock Funeral Home. Online guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.