Clara Ethel Taylor Bates, 90, of 1485 Old Pamplin Road, Pamplin died Thursday December 18, 2014 at Appomattox Health and Rehab. She was the widow of Charles T. Bates, Jr.

Ethel was born in Charlotte County January 28, 1924 a daughter of the late Alice Meyers and Clayton Wylie Taylor, Sr. She was a long time member of Elon Baptist Church in Pamplin.

She is survived by two sons, Carroll Vandegrift and wife, Wanda of Pamplin and Thomas Bates and wife, Brenda of Appomattox; daughter-in-law, Cathy Baldwin Bates and step-daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and Larry Burden of Taft, California, eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie; son, Donald Alan Bates; sister, Rozelle Taylor Staton; a brother, Clayton Taylor, Jr.; and step grandson, Brian Burden.

Funeral services will be held 11am Monday December 22, 2014 at Robinson Funeral Home officiated by Pastor John Covington.
Burial will follow in Pamplin Community Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
The family wishes to acknowledge and thank Appomattox Health and Rehabilitation Center and Hospice of Farmville for their love, care and compassion for "Clara Belle"
The family will be at the home of Carroll and Wanda Vandegrift, 859 Suanee Creek Road, Pamplin, Va.
Those wishing to make memorials please consider Appomattox Relay for Life, 443 Mountain Cut Road, Appomattox, Va. 24522.
Robinson Funeral Home and Cremation Service is serving the family and an online condolence may be sent by visiting www.robinsonfuneral.com