Mrs. Ruthie Lee Bates, 81, of Crossett, AR, died Monday, February 25, 2019, at Ashley County Medical Center.  She was a native of Louisville, AR, a resident of Crossett for 62 years, a retiree of Georgia Pacific Paper Mill, and a member of New Bethel Baptist Church.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Birdie Lee Sams-Jones.  Mrs. Bates enjoyed canning, fishing, and working in her flower garden.

She is survived by one son, Eddie Wafer, of Crossett, AR; five grandchildren, Kimberly Rogers, Giovanni Westmoreland, Blake Staten, Eddie Wafer, and Janijha Wafer; nine great grandchildren; and a beloved daughter in law, Juanita Staten.

Service will be Saturday, March 2, 2019, 11:00 A.M., at New Bethel Baptist Church with Pastor Jessie Radford officiating.  Pallbearers are Jimmy Thornton, Rahmel King, Christopher Avery, Todd Brown, Carnell Brown, Blake Staten, and Larry Miller.  Burial in Good Hope Cemetery in Camden, AR.

Visitation will be Friday, March 1, 2019, 5:30-6:30 P.M., at Cromwell Funeral Home, Inc. in Hamburg.