Velma Ruth Holdcraft Bates

           Velma Ruth Holdcraft Bates, 76, of Hamburg, died Saturday, March 28, 2015 at the Arkansas Hospice Center in Little Rock.  Mrs. Bates was a native of Drew County and a resident of the Martinville Community outside of Hamburg for most of her life.  She worked at the Leisure Lodge Nursing Home for over 20 years having retired in 1999.  She was a member of the Martinville Baptist Church.  She loved her grandchildren and spending time with her friends and she enjoyed crocheting and doing crafts.

            She is preceded in death by her ex-husband, Marion Dewitt Bates in 1997; a great-grandson, Brady Jaxon Dye; her parents, Ed Holdcraft & Ella Mae Graves Bell; a sister, Erma Jean Lewis and two brothers, Thomas Otis and Bobby Joe Holdcraft.

            She is survived by a daughter, Marilyn Jo Bates; three ladies she loved as her own, Carolyn Aiken, Freda Wright and Elle Merriweather all of Hamburg; a brother, Billy Junior Holdcraft and wife, Michelle, of Idaho; a sister, Dorothy Mae Johnson and husband, Dewayne, of Hamburg; two grandchildren, Michael Shawn Bates and wife, Rebecca, of Hamburg and Brandy Jo Dye and husband, B.J., of Crossett; six great-grandchildren, Mary Beth, Dawson and Jon Michael Bates, Brynlee & Braylie Jo Dye, and JoAnn Wiley; a great-great-grandchild, Katherine Elizabeth Wiley and a host of nieces and nephews.

           Funeral services are 2 p.m., Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at the Martinville Baptist Church with Rev. Ryan McRae officiating.  Burial will be in the Prairie Grove Cemetery in Drew County.  Pallbearers are Jim Barfield, Wade Knight, Curtis Aiken, Matthew Merriweather, Jimmy Merriweather and Kevin Holdcraft.  Honorary pallbearers are the Men of Martinville Baptist Church.  Memorials may be made to the Martinville Baptist Church, c/o Barry Savage, 129 Wright Street, Hamburg, AR 71646. 

Visitation will be 6-8 Monday at the church.

 Service Information