Rev. Robert “Bobby” A. Bates, 86, of Sunny View, N.C. went home to be with the Lord, Saturday morning, December 31, 2016 at Hendersonville Health & Rehab, Flat Rock, N.C.

Born in Macon County, N.C., he was the son of the late Samuel Lonnie Bates and Lassie Watts Bates and husband of the late Betty Wilson Bates who passed away in 2012. Rev. Bates moved to Polk County in 1952 and worked many years as a plumber. He pastored numerous churches in the area: Grassy Knob Baptist, Byars Baptist, Pleasant Grove Baptist (Polk County), Piney Mtn. Baptist (Ellenboro) and Mtn. View Baptist where he was a member. Through the years, he drove a school bus. Rev. Bates loved gospel music and played many instruments.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a brother, Dean Bates and a sister, Shirley Calloway, one grandson, Robbie Fortenberry and great-granddaughter, Rosalie Mace.

Surviving is one son, Tommy Bates of Sunny View, N.C.; three daughters, Judy Bates of Gastonia, N.C., Joyce Fortenberry of Sunny View, N.C. and Jeanette Wilson (Ben) of Bessemer City, N.C.; two brothers, Murrell Bates of Leicester, N.C. and Kenneth Bates of Dallas, N.C.; three sisters, Agnes Brooks of Gastonia, N.C., Dorothy Stamey of Dallas, N.C. and Deloris Blanton of Mt. Holly, N.C.; seven grandchildren, Samuel Fortenberry (Tammy), Kenya Skipper (Robbie), Amy Tivey, Alice Mace (Josh), Justin Wilson (Danielle), Jacob Wilson (Briana) and Jessica Wilson. Also surviving are fifteen great-grandchildren.

A funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 3, 2017 in Big Level Baptist Church with Rev. Charles Jackson, Mr. Nelse Bates and Mr. Ben Wilson officiating.

Rev. Bates will lie in state one hour prior to the service at the church.

Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the McFarland Funeral Chapel.

At other times, the family will be at the home.

An online guest register is available at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.

McFarland Funeral Chapel
Tryon, N.C.