Mary Lou Bates Obituary

We bid farewell to Mary Lou Bates of Barling, Arkansas, whose journey of life gracefully concluded on January 24, 2026 at the age of 78. Mary Lou touched countless lives with warmth and kindness, leaving behind cherished memories that will forever echo in hearts. Family and friends can send flowers and condolences in memory of the loved one. Leave a sympathy message to the family on the memorial page of Mary Lou Bates to pay them a last tribute.

She was predeceased by: her husband Roger Bates; her granddaughter Joy Sanders; and her brother Charles Clark. She is survived by: her sons, Marty Sanders (Tammy) of Anderson and Darren Sanders of Anderson; her stepchildren, Frances Smith (Chuck) of Mammoth Springs and Mike Bates of Little Rock, Arkansas; her grandson Bradley Sanders; her stepgrandchildren, Ashlyn Smith, Krista Barry, Taylor Smith, Dylan Smith and Kenneth Baskins; her mother Nellie Clark of Mountain Home, Arkansas; and her siblings, Robert Clark (Wanda) of Bolivar, Missouri, Sharon Williams (Chuck Witherspoon), Sandy Curry (Earl) of Joplin, Pam Coss (Mark Sissel) of Nashville and Becky Jackson (Vince McMahon) of Nashville.