of Clarksville, AR
November 19, 1930 - November 14, 2019
Paul David Bates was born November 19, 1930, in Eldorado, AR, Union County. He departed this life on November 14, 2019, at the age of 88 years. On August 17, 1953 he was joined in marriage to Owalah Lou Fields. There were three daughters born to this union: Melony Kay,Lesa Faye and Annette Alise,
In his early years, Paul worked for Modern Office Supply Company in Oklahoma City. He later moved to Durango, Colorado, where he worked for J.C. Penney's. In 1970, he left J.C. Penney's and began his full time ministry with the Church of Christ doing what he loved the most, preaching the Gospel. He moved to Clarksville, AR in 1991, where he helped to establish the City Park Church of Christ.
Paul is survived by his wife Owalah Lou Bates; two daughters Melony Kay Cutchall and husband Donny; Lesa Faye Avaritt and husband Keith; seven grandchildren and twenty two great-grandchildren.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents, John Madison and Alma Cora (Murphy) Bates; three sisters; four brothers; and one daughter Annette Alise.
Visitation will be held 6:00-8:00 P.M. Sunday, November 17, 2019 at Roller-Cox Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral Service will be held 10:00 A.M. Monday, November 18, 2019 at Roller-Cox Funeral Home Chapel with Keith Avaritt & Donny Cutchall. Burial will follow at Minnow Creek Cemetery. Jeremy Avaritt, Clint Avaritt, Josh Avaritt, Shane Cutchall, Skylar Lee, and Mike Mahoney will serve as pallbearers.
Arrangements are under the direction of Roller-Cox Funeral Home, online guestbook available at
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/clarksville
Sign Guestbook
33 Condolence(s)
Amy ‘Watts’ Knight
Monday, November 18, 2019
“There is sunshine in my soul today!†Thinking of you today Bro. Paul and Love you showed all your brothers and sisters throughout the years! Love to your family and prayers for comfort! 💕
Ronnie Parsons
Monday, November 18, 2019
How his life reflected the son of God. The example he leaves lives on. My love and admiration for Bro. Paul and sister Owalah.
Ken Avaritt
Monday, November 18, 2019
1John 4:7-10, Beloved, we ought to love one another, for love is of God.....not that we loved God but that God loved us. I hope and trust that Paul Bates knew that he was loved, but I do know that Paul loved us, for that I will always be thankful!
Cheryl Payne Laramore
Sunday, November 17, 2019
I have many fond memories of Paul, Owalah, and their family. As I told my niece yesterday, he and others of his generation changed my life. And then I said, no, they helped to change my eternity! I know many others feel the same. To Paul’s, loved ones, I pray for the Lord’s comfort and peace on this next part of life’s journey without him.
Ronny and Norma Ratcliff
Sunday, November 17, 2019
We were so sorry to learn of Paul's passing and know he will be missed so much by family, friends and brothers and sisters in Christ. We have many good memories of the time spent with Paul, Owalah and the girls, mostly from our childhoods spent at the Owen Park Church of Christ in Tulsa and the 12th and Blackwelder congregation in Okla.City. Our sympathy, love and prayers to his loved ones. Ronny and Norma Ratcliff
Taylor Joyce
Sunday, November 17, 2019
Owalah: Glena and I were saddened to read in today's Fort Smith Newspaper of Paul's death. We have fond memories of both of you. We extend our condolences to you and your family.
Gordon Baxter
Sunday, November 17, 2019
Praying for God’s blessings in your lives, the same way he blessed you with the dad he gave you. May Paul’s example live on in your lives.
Dianne Lafayette
Sunday, November 17, 2019
Thinking of you all during this difficult time. May the Lord bless you with peace and comfort.
Felecia Clark
Saturday, November 16, 2019
We are so sorry to hear about the passing of Paul. He was such a great example and dearly loved!! Prayers for you all and all who were blessed to know him. He was a very special man and will be greatly missed!!
Felecia Clark
Saturday, November 16, 2019
We are so sorry to hear about the passing of Paul. He was such a great example and dearly loved!! Prayers for you all and all who were blessed to know him. He was a very special man and will be greatly missed!!
Randy and Rachel Smith
Saturday, November 16, 2019
Loved this man with all our heart and soul. He will be missed. Praying for the family.
Hubert and Patricia George
Saturday, November 16, 2019
Please accept our condolences for your family's loss. Bro. Bates was dearly loved and will be deeply missed. Sis. Bates know that we would love to be there physically but our prayers are with you and the whole family at this time of loss. We and the Church here in Shreveport are forever at your service.
Gordon Baxter
Friday, November 15, 2019
Our families have been united through Christ since the 1950’s. Now in 2019 both families have had our loved ones leave us for a home in heaven where all pain and suffering has ended. May the Lord bless your lives in the future the same way he blessed you with your parents in the past
Alvin and Charlotte
Friday, November 15, 2019
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Bro. Paul Bates. He will be missed by so many people but he has touched so many lives that he won’t be forgotten.
Kevin & Rhonda
Friday, November 15, 2019
We offer our condolences to Owalah, Lesa, Melony, and families. Bro. Paul will live on in the hearts and minds of all the lives he touched over the years, with his chipper, positive, outlook, and love for the Lord. We are all better for having known him. We love you all, and pray for your comfort. Kevin, Rhonda & family
Nathan Knight
Friday, November 15, 2019
An amazing Godly man. I will miss him.
Nathan
Larry & Johnnie Trekell
Friday, November 15, 2019
The news of Brother Paul's passing immediately brought to mind the words of an earlier Brother Paul: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness..." May God continue to bless and watch over his family.
Lisa & Johnny Dorse
Friday, November 15, 2019
Prayers of comfort for all of the family!
James & Debbie Pettit
Friday, November 15, 2019
Bro. Paul will be missed by all that we’re privileged to have known him. Such an inspirational man. Prayers to his family for the loss of this wonderful Christian man.
Jan Herod
Friday, November 15, 2019
So sorry! 💔😢 He will be missed
Joe & Judy Black
Friday, November 15, 2019
A Godly man that definitely practiced what he preached. He loved like God, gave like God, served like God! Now he will live with God in heaven, but will not be forgotten on this earth!
Everett & Sherlynn Finch
Friday, November 15, 2019
Dear Lesa, Melanie, and Family,
We are thinking of you all at this time and wish we were able to be there in person. We have so manly fond memories of Paul and how he touched our lives.
We love you and pray that you will have comfort and peace with this passing.
With Heart Felt Sympathy and Christian Love,
Everett and Sherlynn
Shane and Michelle Cogburn
Friday, November 15, 2019
We send our love and prayers to you all! We remember Brother Paul Bates’s smile, laughter, robust song-leading, bold preaching, and how much he loved the Lord! He left his print on our souls and will be dearly missed. May his soul rest peacefully. â¤ï¸
Jarrod Nall
Thursday, November 14, 2019
My prayers for all of the family. I’m sorry for your loss. May God bless you all with peace and comfort.
Marie Jeffress
Thursday, November 14, 2019
I have so many memories of my Uncle Paul from my childhood. I loved him so and he was special. My grandmother was his sister and she loved her little brother!
Sherrod and Anita Rasmussen
Thursday, November 14, 2019
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the family. Paul was a special man that will be greatly missed by everyone.
Tish Hooper
Thursday, November 14, 2019
RIP Uncle Paul. Praying for the family.
Samantha Bryant
Thursday, November 14, 2019
Johnna Feldman
Thursday, November 14, 2019
I am going to miss that million dollar smile that would light up any room but mostly the fine Christian example he made by which he lived his life.
My heart goes out to all his family. He will be deeply missed.
Kevin Mansfield
Thursday, November 14, 2019
Prayers for all the family
Adam Caughern
Thursday, November 14, 2019
Lori Martin
Thursday, November 14, 2019
Sending love and sympathies to all of Paul’s family near and far. You are lived and i pray for comfort and peace
In the next days months and years.
Love Lori
Tracy D Thomas
Thursday, November 14, 2019
So sorry for your loss. He was a blessing to anyone he met. He will be so very missed!