RICE, Sept. 14 – Robert Lee Bates, 74, of Rice, passed away Thursday, September 9, 2010 at his home. He was born in Prince Edward County, October 20, 1935 to the late Richard Lee and Bessie Yeatts Bates.

He retired after 19 years with the Prince Edward County Sheriff's Department and was formerly a co-owner of County Line Market. He was a member of Pisgah Baptist Church, Rice and Burke Lodge # 147 AF&AM, Burkeville.

Mr. Bates is survived by his wife, Esther A. Bates of Rice; son, Ricky McDaniel of Gainesville; daughters, Peggy Lawson of Rice and Robin Stone of Brighton, MI; brother, Cleve Bates; sister, Lucy Mae Skipper; eight grandchildren, Sharisse Poblete, Stephanie McDaniel, Amanda Jones, Amelia Lawson, Robert Crowder, Richard Crowder, Caroline Stone and Matthew Stone and seven great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted Monday, September 13, in the chapel of Puckett Funeral Home. Interment followed in Trinity Memorial Gardens, Rice.

Memorials may be made to: The Lift Fund, Pisgah Baptist Church, P.O. Box 86, Rice, VA 23966.

Puckett Funeral Home, Farmville, was in charge of arrangements.

www.puckettfh.com