of Mayflower, AR

January 11, 1931 - October 3, 2024

Ms. Grace Marie Bates, 93, of Mayflower passed from this life and met Jesus on October 3, 2024. She was born January 11, 1931, in St. Vincent, Arkansas to Bill and Mae Sponer. Grace had a smile and a presence that could warm a room! A devoted Catholic and a member of St. Joseph Church, she shared the love of Christ every chance she had. She retired from Safeway along with the love of her life and late husband, Walter Hollis Bates of 40 years.

She will be remembered by so many; she had a smile and a presence that would light up a room, patience like no other and she cherished and loved deeply. She made everyone feel loved and welcomed.

Preceding her in death are her Husband, Walter Bates; son, Randy Bates; twin Brother, Barney Sponer; sister, Loretta & (Bill) McAllister; brothers, Leon, Billy, Larry, and Thomas Sponer, and daughter-in-law, Janice Bates, sisters-in-law, Joan and Babs Sponer and her brother-in-law, Ross Guzzo.

Left to cherish her memory are her sons, Richard Bates of Mayflower and Gary (Angela) Bates of Conway; siblings, Betty Guzzo of California, and Bob (Diane) Sponer of Morrilton; grandchildren, Melonay (Eddy Jr.) York of Shirley, Shannon (Geremy Newman) of Bryant; Randi (Matthew) Barker of Oklahoma; Alison (Rick) Williams; great-grandchildren, Evan and Adam Sims of Benton, Ethan (Hannah) York of Conway and Esabella (Gavin) York of Colorado; Kealy and Lindsey Cotton of Conway; other survivors include her very large and loving family along with her church family members and a host of friends.

A Rosary and visitation will be held on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at 10:00am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, a Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00am. Burial will be in Edgewood Mausoleum in North Little Rock, Arkansas.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-McNutt Funeral Home
650 Central Landing Blvd.
Conway, AR  72032
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com