Roy C. "RC" Bates Sr.

Funeral services will be at 1pm Saturday, October 18th, 2025, at Village Chapel Funeral Home for Roy C. “RC” Bates Sr., 94, of Gadsden, who died October 13th, 2025. Dr. Rodger Beshears will officiate. Burial will follow at Rainbow Memorial Gardens. Roy was a hard working farm boy who accomplished many things in his life. He was a Sgt. in the US Marine Corps and served in the Korean War, which he took great honor and pride in once his time was served. He graduated from Etowah High School and then worked at the steel plant for 30 years. During his time there, he married his wife and had 4 beautiful kids. After retirement, he gained many grandchildren all the way up to 5 generations. He loved his family, never met a stranger and would give you the shirt off his back. His love for his pets, or his “babies”, was just as much as his kids. He loved everything about baseball from playing, coaching, and watching; he also loved his Alabama football. He had a green thumb like no one else and could do anything when he set his mind to it. Roy will be dearly missed for the love he had for his family, his caring nature, and his sense of humor. He is preceded in death by his father, William A. Bates; mother, Josie Bates Underwood; wife, Josephine McDowell Bates; brothers, Bill Bates, Thomas Bates, and Kenneth Bates; sisters, Francis Bates Steakley, Mattie Mae Bates, and Alma Lee Bates; daughter-in-law, Joyce Bates; grandson, James “Dinky” Patterson; and several nephews, nieces, and cousins. He is survived by his children, Debra “Debbie” (Donald) Bates Scarber, Kenneth “Kenny” (Joy) Bates, Roy (Carla) Bates Jr., and Beverly (Michael) Bates Beavers; grandchildren, Donnie (Tina) Scarber, Gidget Scarber Patterson, Chris (Kristie) Scarber, Kristi Little (Jeff Gray), Jessica Radford, Logan (Paige) Beavers, Jerrod Beavers; with many great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren. Pall bearers will be great grandchildren and friends, Tiffany Patterson, Christian Scarber, Hunter Bevel, Lathon Stewart, Jacob White, James White, and Wes Simmons. Special thanks to Aveanna Hospice workers Mandy, Terry, Karen, Savannah, Mike Smith, also to his lifelong friend Brother Harold Adcock a special heartfelt recognition to Beverly Beavers, Donnie Scarber, and Tina Scarber for their dedicated and loving care in his last final years, we could never thank you enough for all you did. Visitation will be from 11am until time of service Saturday, October 18th, 2025, at Village Chapel Funeral Home.

Roy C. "RC" Bates Sr.

January 12, 1931 - October 13, 2025