He was a farmer, carpenter, entrepreneur, United States Army Veteran of World War II and a member of Sardis Baptist Church. He also dug ponds and cleared land all over Drew County. Mr. Elvin's hobbies included working at his sawmill and bee keeping. He was known as an excellent guest speaker to many high school and college classes concerning his tenure in the U.S. Army during World War II. He has also been seen on such outlets as Monticello Cablevision and the Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN). In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife, Laura Roberta Haley Bates; three brothers, Marion Bates, Geral Bates and Alvin Bates; one sister, Sally Mae Bates Battle; one grandson, Wade Berry; and one great-granddaughter, Savannah Greer.
Survivors include four daughters, Kathy Berry and husband James, Ann Scogin and husband Larry and Faye Lewis and husband Randy all of Monticello, and Ruth Elvia Bates of San Leon, TX; one brother, T. R. Bates of Monticello; three sisters, Hattie Mae Reynolds of Jerome, Cattie Mae Lemley of Dermott and Louise Robinson of Cabot; nine grandchildren, Rhonda Kay Berry Hatley and husband Byron, Stephen Bonds and wife Melissa, Laura Bonds Clampit and husband Karl, Caleb Grissom and wife Erica, Haley Groce Greer and husband John Paul, Nicky Groce and wife Lindsay, Carrie Groce Rampey and husband Jonathan, Traci Samson Ravenscraft and husband Parks and William Skinner; twenty-one great grandchildren, seven great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be 1:00 p.m. Monday, November 12, 2018 at Stephenson-Dearman Chapel with burial to follow in Oakland Cemetery with Military Honors. Visitation 5:00-7:00 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home. Online guestbook at www.stephensondearman.com.
Condolences(25)
Cynthia McKinstry
Little Rock, AR Sunday, November 18, 2018 Prayers & thoughts are with y’all during this time of loss. Mr. Elvin was a great man.John & Paige (Hill) Stell
Monticello, AR Wednesday, November 14, 2018 You are all in our thoughts and prayers during the days ahead. Such a precious soul. Always smiling. Enjoyed watching him with bees & love his honey.Love,
John, Paige, Jayson, Colt, Brayden, Brad, Jake, & Jared
Jackie,Ilene Rash &Family
Longview, TX Tuesday, November 13, 2018 Good night, Paw! We love you!Elizabeth Vandall
Teaxs City, TX Monday, November 12, 2018 My thoughts and prayers go out to your family. I know you will be missed dearly. So many memories.Elizabeth Vandall Momentive Texas City Texas.
Co-worker to Ruth Bates
Lowell F Lynde Jr
Monticello, AR Monday, November 12, 2018 Mr. Bates served with my uncle, J.P. Turner of Ruston, LA, during WWII and they remained lifelong friends. I took my mother and aunts to visit him on several occasions. He was so alert and apparently in good health it is hard to believe that he is gone. Mr. Bates always had stories to tell and was very generous about sending the ladies home with some of his honey. May God comfort all is family and bless this man for his service to our country and community.Joe Miles
Monticello, AR Monday, November 12, 2018 I grieve for the loss of such a wonderful man , whom made a legacy on life for so many others to follow and rejoice. Mr Bates was a true friend and will be missed by all ,Hours spend with him about wood work , farming, bee husbandry and just life in general will be missed and charrished . My regards to his family.All can rejoice because Heavens gate received a wonderful angel and seman of life’s testament.
Sincerely
Joe Miles
Jerry and Sharon Bayliss
Monticello, AR Monday, November 12, 2018 I will always embrace the memories of Mr. Elvin. He would always stop at the bait shop to fill his ice chest and chat for just a bit before speeding down the road to his mission of the day. Sometimes before I could get out the door good, I would see his brake lights pulling out the drive speeding to work, but always after leaving his money on the counter. He was such a sweet soul, and will surely be missed. Blessings and peace to all his Family. May his Soul find Rest from all his many labors.George Burks
Bryant, AR Sunday, November 11, 2018 To Faye and your family, Pam and I convey our prayers and sympathy for the loss of your father. He lived a full and wonderful life. May God grant you peace in your time of sorrow.Phyllis Brannon Flory
Salina, KS Sunday, November 11, 2018 Faye and family. I was sorry to hear of Mr. Elvin's death. As deep as your grief must be, can you imagine the joy he is experiencing as he greets all those gone on before and the ultimate gift of standing in the Presence of our Lord.May he rest in peace and rise in glory. Please give my love to all your family. Love, Phyllis Brannon FloryBilly C Collins
Little Rock, AR Sunday, November 11, 2018 Mr. Elvin was always happy to visit with Mary and me . I praise the Lord for his life and his service to our country. May God give you peace and comfort during this time and in the days to come. Your friend in Christ Mary and Billy CollinsJohn Porter Price
Monticello, AR Sunday, November 11, 2018 I met Mr Elvin in 1960 when we both worked for Mr Don Long. I was just a kid still in college. He took me under his arm and with his guidance I learned more from that man than I ever learned in school. He was a man of integrity and honesty. He was all business but he had a wit about him that made him fun to be with. Our friendship ha lasted down through the years.I am so sorry he did not make it to his 100 year birthday, I so looked forward hearing him tell his stories once more, but they will live on in the hearts and minds of the people he touched. I know I will never forget him.
Linda Bordeaux Griffin
Monticello, AR Sunday, November 11, 2018 Mr Elvin was such a Christian example. He and Mrs Roberta were a great influence on me as a young person because I spent so much time in their home.I loved talking to him and watching the videos on channel 17 that Chris Garrett made of him. Make God’s blessings and comfort be with you the family at this time. We are in North Carolina so we will not be able to attend the services but our thoughts and prayers are with you. Jessie says, “He was an American hero.” 💜🙏🏻Judy
Jacksonville, AR Sunday, November 11, 2018 Mr. Bates was definitely one of a kind and inspirational in many ways. By faith we know he is in Heaven and you will have a happy reunion one day. Hope to see you all tomorrow.Sam Grisham
Findlay, OH Sunday, November 11, 2018 Prayers to the family for comfort. Mr. Bates will be missed by many. I’m am blessed to say that I grew up knowing someone like him as a role model. God bless.Carole (Johns) Rushing
Woodlawn, AR Saturday, November 10, 2018 Dear Ann, Larry and family,I was saddened to read Mr. Elvin's obituary. Please accept my
sincere sympathy on your loss. My prayer is that you will lean
on our Lord and Savior to get you through the sad times to come.
Enjoy the sweet memories and pray that all of us might live the kind
life that Mr. Elvin did. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers
daily.
'Til we meet again, Carole (Johns) Rushing
Sandy hughes ( Boyd)
Columbus, MS Saturday, November 10, 2018 So sorry for this family’s loss. Praying for y’all.Kenny & Kay Worbington
Monticello, AR Saturday, November 10, 2018 Dear Family, You have our prayers at your time of great loss. Mr . Elvin was a true hero. Our lives have been blessed for having known him all these years. We know what a remarkable man he was. You all have our sympathy. Love, Kenny & KayGloria Schwab
Bentonville, AR Saturday, November 10, 2018 Faye and family , So very sorry to here about the loss of your dad . Truly a remarkable man . Prayers and HugsBobby Spencer
Little Rock, AR Saturday, November 10, 2018 Mr. Bates was the best neighbor one could have ever had. We lived by him for 8 years on Old Deane Rd and could always count on his kindness. We admired him greatly and honored him for his service to our country. We send our deepest sympathies to the family along with our thoughts and prayers. Bobby and Mary SpencerKent Davis
Maumelle, AR Saturday, November 10, 2018 Good man and a long time friend and customer, I am so sorry but I know he lived a good hard working life. PrayersAlan Lane and Jacque Gardner
Warner Robins, GA Saturday, November 10, 2018 Faye I hope that our Lord brings you and your family the much-needed peace during this sad time. Our condolences to you and your family.Wanda Morphis
Star City, AR Saturday, November 10, 2018 I've know Mr. Bates all my life. He was a good husband, father, friend, and neighbor. I'm sorry for the families loss. Love to all.joann Adair Holian
Monticello, AR Saturday, November 10, 2018 Bates family,I am so sorry for your loss . Mr Bates was my neighbor for over 30 year's . He was such a great neighbor . After I lost my husband he called and said he was going to come down and make sure I had antifreeze in my veh. and tractor that 1st winter such a thoughtful person . He was just that kind of person . He will be missed by many.You are all in my prayer's God bless
Trudy Tucker Carrington
Rowlett, TX Saturday, November 10, 2018 I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Elvin. Generous and sweet man and such a part of my growing up years in church. Many prayers for all of the family and much love.Charlie & Linda Bryant
Monticello, AR Saturday, November 10, 2018 We are so sorry for the lost. He was a wonderful man and lived life to the fullness. Sometimes he would drive and bring greens and cornbread. He was a real joy to know for the past 12+ years. Even though we weren’t a relative, we felt like we were. We will miss him dearly. Many memories we have had with conversations with him. To all the family our condolences...he is in heaven now and I wonder what great things he will do there. We Love You PawPaw... Charlie and Linda