He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Kathleen Bates; daughter, Charlotte Barger; sons, Allen Mitchell (Denise), Brian Mitchell, Charles Mitchell, and David Mitchell (Dana); 23 grandkids, and 9 great-grandkids.
He is preceded in death by his sons, Robert Kenneth Bates and Robert Darrel Bates; parents, Charley H. Bates and Rosie Adline Davis Bates; brothers, Judson, Charlie, Willis and Wilburn (twins), Bob, Carl and J.W. Bates; and sisters, Bertha Mae Epperson, Juelee Epperson, Addie Irene Hoggle, Edna Hoggle, Birdie Ruth Smithson and Lorene Cook.
Pallbearers, Eric Frazier, Joey Templeton, Charles Mitchell, Payton Smith, Sam O'Neal, Brian Mitchell, David Mitchell and Donnie Falls.
A visitation for Robert will be held Friday, February 21, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Sunset Funeral Home followed by a Celebration of Life at 1:00 PM. Burial will follow in Liberty Methodist Church Cemetery, Co Rd 29, Moundville, AL 35474.
