Robert Perry Bates, who resided in the Gray Rock Community near Paris, Arkansas, died Wednesday, December 14, 2022, at Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He was born on November 24, 1946, in Paris to the late Perry Bates and Flora Ann (Simpson) Bates. He was 76 years old. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Leonard Bates and Glen Bates; and a sister, Mary Finney.

For several years, Robert worked in the sanitation department for Tyson Foods, Inc. in Clarksville.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 23rd at Brotherton Funeral Home Chapel in Paris, with Elder Larry Moore officiating. Burial will follow at Gray Rock Cemetery under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home in Paris.

He is survived by three sons, Robert Eric Bates and wife Sheri, Glen Bates and Rorry Bates; two daughters, Kimberly Bates and Tomica Bates-Rodriquez; his sisters, Carolyn Lewis, Glenda Bates, Lois Thompson, Peggy Howard, Theresa Thompson, Vanessa Ellingburg, Veronica Bates, Karen Bates, Esther Bates, and JoAnna Bates; a brother, Timmy Bates; his companion, Rachelle Criss; his grandchildren, Tori Bates, Ty Bates, Addison Bates,Tate Bates, Cy Bates, London Bates, Nia Bates, Xavier Rodriquez, Humberto Rodriquez, Amelia Rodriquez, Ximena Rodriquez, Carter Washington, and Lauren Washington; his great-grandchildren, Grayson Bates and Nikolai Bates; and a bunch of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are Robert E. Bates, Glen Bates, Rorry Bates, Ty Bates, Anthony Cummins, and Fredrick Thompson.

Honorary pallbearers are James Robert Lewis, Jr. and Michael Adkins.

The family will visit with friends from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Friday one hour prior to the service starting at 2:00 p.m.

To place an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com.