of Paris, AR
November 9, 1956 - December 8, 2023
Alfred Lee Bates, 67, of Paris, Arkansas passed away on Friday, December 8, 2023 in Ft. Smith.
Alfred Lee Bates, known to many as "Baby Al" was born on November 9, 1956 in Paris, Arkansas to his parents, Dan Henry Bates and Carolyn (Powell) Brown. Alfred was a graduate of Paris High School class of 1975. After graduation he went to work for Beacon Trucking as a truck driver and later he worked as a bricklayer building chimneys and fireplaces until his health declined. Alfred was a quiet man who enjoyed spending time with his family, collecting stamps and coins, playing cards and going hunting and fishing.
He is preceded in death by his father, Dan Henry Bates and his grandparents, Dan and Rena Bates and Geneva and Charlie Poole.
He leaves behind his mother, Carolyn Brown and step father, Mr. Clifford Brown of Grandview, Missouri; two sons, Darius Bates and wife, JoAnn of Atlanta, Georgia and Christopher Bates and fiancé, Kourtney Keller of Manhattan, New York; two daughters, Kasey Boynton and husband, Antoine of Dacula, Georgia and Rachel Cayo and husband, Bertrand of Atlanta, Georgia; his ex-wife and the mother of his children, Suzanne Bates; two brothers, Charles Bates of Kansas City, Missouri and Daniel Bates of St. Louis, Missouri; one sister, Gwendolyn Bates of Kansas City, Missouri; five grandchildren, Gabrielle, London, August, Antoine, Jr. and Nyla; a close dear friend, Vena Rodgers; several other family members and friends.
The family would also like to thank their dear family friend, Patricia Jackson for taking care of Alfred during his declining health.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, December 16, 2023 at Roller Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow in Gray Rock cemetery.
Funeral arrangements and services are under the direction of Roller Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Robert Bates, Willie Armstrong, Dale Graham, Mark Buchannon, Jack Lewis, Shawn Bates, Allan Millum and Richard Brown
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20 Condolence(s)
Butch Bates
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
To the best big brother a man could ask for, I will miss you, I will miss the competitiveness for our mothers attention, affection, and love ever since we were little boys. I will miss the kindness you showed to everyone, even complete strangers. I will miss the proving who and who is not right. I will miss you talking me into doing crazy stuff and then when I do it you laughing and telling me you can't believe I did it. I'll miss the wrestling, and the racing. After hearing all the love that was shared for you today, I now understand why you always gave it all away, that was the better way to live. Most of all, I will miss you teaching me how to be a better man. I love you, brother. I miss you, brother. You only think that you won this race to heaven, but I will be there to see you again.
Charles Bates
Sunday, December 17, 2023
Phyllis Brown
Saturday, December 16, 2023
My Prayers are with the family
Ester Bates
Friday, December 15, 2023
Alfred I will miss that big smile I always got when we saw one another. You’d always greet me with a big smile and a hey family. Prayers for the family.
Carlton E Hightower
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Rest well cousin. RIHeaven
Vina Rogers
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Al , my darling, I will forever miss you my love. My memories are of you and I listening to some good ole blues or really any music together . It has been a honor for me to love, care for you. To walk with you by my side for the last 2 years to be waking up with you by my side , for you to roll over with that big ole smile on your face when you look into my eyes and ask me ( Will you marry me ) every single morning. When your friends would tell me that you said, She takes care of me like no other woman ever has or how he would go on about me being the love of his life. It has always made me so proud to be the woman on your arm. Yeah you could say this woman will love and miss you forever. Until we meet again my love. Sweet dreams. Say your prayers. And remember I love you.
Malvin powell
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Dave Thompson
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
I always remember our times together in Valdosta and Tallahassee (although they were too short). Never forgot the FSU comeback against the gators now remembered as “the choke at Doke.” Glad I got to catch up with you at Kasey’s wedding. Wish we’d had more times together my friend.
Shelly Walker
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
Al, I remembering first meeting you after you and Suzanne met! You were always so kind to me and allowed me to tag along when you guys did things. You and my sister were blessed to conceive 4 beautiful and amazing children together! My husband and I love them like our own and will continue to love and support them as God allows us! God Bless mom Carolyn and Clifford and I will continue praying for your family as they mourn.
Robert & Marilyn Lewis
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
Sending our love and deepest sympathies
Lauren VanLeuvan
Monday, December 11, 2023
This is hard to say but you have always told me it's not goodbye you tell someone. I love you Alfred you have always been good to me and my kids your grandkids. I can never say goodbye to you. It's just a new beginning in a life without you. Thank you for being the dad you never had to be. My daughter loved you. She still asks about her papa Al. I love you Alfred. I wish you could have met my son. He's a handful but you would love him. God I can't believe this will be the last time I see you. But you will always be in my heart.
Jennifer Armstrong
Monday, December 11, 2023
My thoughts and prayers are with with the family. I met Al 7 1/2 years ago when my husband Willie Ray Armstrong first took me down to Gray Rock to meet his family. Al always knew how to put a smile on someone's face,so with that being said he was alright with me in my book. It saddened me to hear about his passing. Until we meet again,REST HIGH MY FRIEND....
Keri Cannon
Monday, December 11, 2023
I love you always and forever Uncle Alfred and don’t worry about Grandma and Ya sister I got them for EVER get ya rest and ill see you when I get there Kiss Granny for me and tell her we Miss her!!!
Gwendolyn Bates
Monday, December 11, 2023
Dear Brother...you gave no one a last farewell nor ever said good bye you were gone before we knew it and only God knows why..a million times we will miss you and a million times we will cry..if love alone could have saved you you never would have died..in life we loved you dearly.. and in death we love you still..in our hearts you hold a place no one else can fill....it broke my heart brother to lose you but you didn't go alone for part of me went with you the day God took you home..we will meet again some day brother I know in a better place. I thank God he made you my brother while you were here on earth..I love you Baby Al..rest up
Mikysha Bates
Sunday, December 10, 2023
RIP Uncle Alfred
Evelyn Boynton
Sunday, December 10, 2023
My deepest sympathy to the Bates family and love ones. May the Lord give you comfort and peace at this difficult time.
Asa Boynton, Sr.
Sunday, December 10, 2023
Our Prayers are with the family at this difficult time in their lives.
Charla Hughes
Sunday, December 10, 2023
Jennifer Campbell
Sunday, December 10, 2023
I dnt know exactly where to start so I wanna send my love, hugs, prayers, and my deepest condolences to the family.I want yall to know that I LOVE AND CARE deeply for Al..he was my world next to my kids for 15yrs and not one regret loving and caring for him....Alfred was so AMAZING but STUBBORN person..LOL..LOVED to laugh, always laughing and VERY, EXTREMELY proud of his children...he didn't say too much but, I'd ALWAYS see a sparkle in his eyes and bragged on their careers continously like how Kasey is 'master Bates'...he said, she earned that name and how he loved his babygirls, Rachel and Kasey....his boys were the top of the line men...ALL OF his kids were in competition on who is gonna make the most money...lol...that's the kind of things that would keep him laughing and smiling ALL DAY!!! He's kept a positive attitude...NEVER judged or made a difference in his children or mine when xmas came around....he loved Xmas time. Alfred, will stay in my heart and soul forever....I'm so angry and grateful at the same time...he's in God's hands now and that's hard for me to except still but, I know he's up the wit gma Geneva having a blast and I dnt have to worry about him no more...he not suffering no more...I wanna thank the family for ALWAYS loving and welcoming me with open arms.
Big Boo & Jennifer Brown
Saturday, December 9, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family.