Charley Lavern Gates, 74, of Walnut Ridge passed from this life on Sunday, December 3, 2023, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro.  He was born October 3, 1949, in Pocahontas to the late Avery Franklin and Carrie Lucille (Whitford) Gates. He was employed at Atlas Asphalt during his lifetime and was a volunteer fireman for the city of Walnut Ridge. Charley was a member of 7th Day Pentecostal Church in Hoxie.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Melinda Henderson; brother, Jesse Gates; sister, Alta Simington; and grandson, Mitchell Lamb.

He is survived by his wife, Alice of 49 years of the home; children, Charley Gates Jr., David Gates, and Glenda Gates all of Walnut Ridge; step-children, Levi Lamb and Gene Lamb both of Walnut Ridge; sister, Georgia Ann Brown (Robert) of Little Rock; grandchildren, Kaylon, Dawson, Timothy, Jamie, Jimmy, and Jill; great-grandchildren, Hailey, Elisa, and Gene Vincent; and a host of other family members and friends.

Visitation will be on Saturday, December 9, 2023, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Cox Funeral Home in Walnut Ridge.  Funeral services will follow immediately at 1 p.m. with Bro. Donald Riley officiating.  Burial will be in Manning Cemetery near Sedgwick. All arrangements are under the direction of Cox Funeral Home of Walnut Ridge.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Charley Gates Jr., William Roush, Harold White, Tim Lamb, Ron Duren, and Gene Vincent.