Walnut Ridge-Barbara Bates, 87, of Walnut Ridge passed away Thursday, October 4, 2018 at Walnut Ridge Nursing and Rehab Center. She was born September 9, 1931 to Jesse and Leona Miller Phillips at Black Rock. She was a homemaker and a member of Freedom Church near Walnut Ridge.

Preceding her in death were her parents; father of her children, Arbie Bates; brothers, Glenn Phillips, Harold Phillips; sisters, Coleda Holder, Inez Wilton, and Lila Lee Phillips.

She is survived by daughters, Pam Martin-Stewart (Joe) of Jonesboro and Sheila Ann Williams of Greers Ferry; sisters, Almeda Kerwin (Corky) of Watauga, Texas and Judy Smith (Octavius) of Smithville; grandchildren, Shawn Williams, Andy Martin (Jessika), Barry Martin, Rick Williams (Julia), Rhonda Eimer (Robert) and Phillip Williams; twelve great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great grandchildren.