Darrell "Doc" Bates

Lifetime Butler County resident, Darrell "Doc" Wayne Bates, 67, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed away Monday, May 9, 2016 at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center. Darrell was born June 3, 1948 in St. Louis, Mo. He served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was a member of New Home General Baptist Church. He enjoyed camping, metal detecting and loved going to church. On April 9, 1993 he married Carolyn (Eagen) Bates, in Poplar Bluff, who survives. Other survivors include children, Dale Wayne Tinsley (Denise), Eric Montgomery (Michelle), Darrell Shane Bates (April); step-daughters, Lori Stratton (Jessie), Sherry Aikey (Brian), Elizabeth Reynolds (Roy); his mother, Mary Jean (Timmons) Bingham; one sister, Donna New and brother, Lyndal "Stag" Bates (Diane); 19 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. His father, Bobby E. Bates and brother, David Bates preceded him in death. Visitation will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 11, 2016, at Fowler-Sullivan Funeral Home in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m., in the funeral home chapel, with the Rev. Calvin Buhler officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Gardens Cemetery with military honors.