Robert A. (Bobby) Bates, age 80, went home to be with Jesus on Monday, May 26, 2014, at his home in The Villas at Riverstone, Canton, Georgia. Funeral Services will be Thursday, May 29, 2014, at 2:30 pm at Liberty Grove Baptist Church, 17055 Birmingham Highway, Alpharetta, GA 30004. Rev. David Byess and Rev. Michael Ridings officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, May 27 from 6 to 9 pm, Wednesday May 28, from 1 to 5 pm and 6 to 9 pm at South Canton Funeral Home. The family will receive friends on Thursday, May 29 from 1:00 to 2:00 pm at Liberty Grove Baptist Church. Mr. Bates will be placed in state from 2:00 - 2:30 pm.

He was preceded in death by father and mother, Howell and Osie Bates; sister Katherine Bates Holbrook Crowe; brother Ralph Edward Bates. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Carolyn Ridings Bates; sister-in-law Vyrsa Raines Bates; nephew James (Jimmy) and wife Cindy; great niece, Christie Bates Wilson and husband Robbie all of Cumming, GA; niece Dianne Holbrook Ball and husband Fred of Alpharetta, GA; great niece, Ashley Ball James and Calvin of Auburn, AL; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, James and Myrtice Strickland of Ball Ground, GA; Jerry and Lynda Ridings, of Alpharetta, GA; Michael and Judy Ridings of Alpharetta, GA; David and Beth Byess of Woodstock, GA. Nieces, nephews, and other family and friends also survive.