Bobby Gene Bates

Bobby Gene Bates, 82, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, June 19, 2018. Bobby was born April 17, 1936 in Yadkin County to the late Floyd George and Lora Katherine Sizemore Bates. He was a member of Union Gospel Baptist Church of Germanton, NC and attended regularly until his health began to decline. He was a hard worker and had worked for the NC Department of Transportation for most of his adult life. He was known for his willingness to help others when needed and spent many days helping his neighbors and friends. He taught his kids the meaning of neighborly kindness. Bobby was a wonderful husband, daddy, papa, and great-grandfather. He loved his family and enjoyed being around them and his family will greatly miss him. In addition to his parents, he was proceeded in death by his loving wife of 44 years, Nina Hubbard Bates, son Joseph Earl Bates, and his first wife Shirley Boles Bates.  Those left to cherish his memory are his sons Jackie Gene Bates (Sandy), Bobby Gray Bates, Ronnie Lee Bates (Sherrie), and his daughters Shelby Jean Bates, Tricia Ann Bullins(Darren), Kathy Lynn Bates; His grandchildren Derrek Matthew Bullins, Taren Noel Richardson (Jonathan), Terry Allen Bates (Ashley), Jessica Jane Bates, Cody Collins (Brianna), and Amie Cardwell (Harley), his great-grandchildren Cloie, Cheyenne, and Callie Bates, Baylee Perez, Peyton and Stefan Richardson, Jacob, Linden, and Kolten Cardwell, Victoria Collins and a great-grandson on the way. Visitation will be held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Thursday, June 21, 2018 at Gentry Family Funeral Service in Yadkinville and at all other times at his home. Funeral service will be conducted Friday, June 22, 2018, 1:00 PM at Union Gospel Baptist Church in Germanton, NC with Rev. Darrell Hampton and Rev. Jerry Manuel officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Online condolences may be made to www.gentryfuneralservice.com. Gentry Family Funeral Service of Yadkinville is serving the Bates family. “Gone from our sight, but not from our hearts.”