Charles E Bates Jr.

Charles Bates Jr., 99, of Mount Ida, Arkansas, passed away Tuesday, December 15, 2020. He was born September 12, 1921 in Norman, Arkansas to the late Charles E. and Una Worrell Bates. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Mount Ida and served as a Deacon for 72 years. He served in the Sea Bees Battalion of the Navy during World War II and was a cattle farmer for many years before retiring in 1992. He is preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife of 67 years, Gilda.

Charles is survived by daughters; Becky and husband Eddie Gaston and Vicki and husband Scott Brakefield all of Mount Ida, AR; granddaughters; Samantha and David Watts of Mount Pleasant, TX, Tara and Travis Teague of Van Buren, AR, Amy and Jason James of Benton, AR, and Amanda and Toby Craver of Mount Ida, AR; he was blessed with ten great grandchildren: Logan Watts, Taylor and Noah Teague, Barrett Neiman, Brody and Jemma James, Carrie, Brent, Karlie, and Caroline Craver.

Arrangements were made under the direction of Thornton Funeral Home of Mount Ida, AR. Guest register at www.thorntonfh.com