1945-2025
Betty Lou Weast Gates, 80, of Star City passed away Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Nightingale Nursing Home in Monticello, AR. She was born in Lonoke County on August 30, 1945, to the late Roy and Edna Satterfield Weast.
Betty was a member of the First Assembly of God church in Star City, and Woodman of the World. She loved all her kids and grandchildren. Her family was a big part of her life, from singing, dancing, skipping and playing with all of them. She enjoyed making people laugh, loved to talk to everyone, and never met a stranger. She loved to help out anyone and cook her famous chocolate gravy and chocolate pies for her grandkids. Mrs. Betty loved her church and teaching the grandkids about Jesus.
Preceding her death was her husband, Joel Gates, Sr., a son, Joel Gates, Jr., and six brothers, Dooley, Charles, Huley, Irvin, Gene, and Kenneth Weast.
She is survived by two sons, Timothy Gates (Katrena) of Beebe, Hutch Gates (Stacy) of Star City, two daughters, Annette Reed of Ward, Tammy Stark of Austin, two brothers, Roger Weast, and Jerry Weast (Kathy) both of Star City, fourteen grandchildren, Joel Gates III (Brittany), April Poole (Chris), Courtney Dodgen, Cheyenna Gates, Ozzy Gates, K’Leigh Clark (Dustin), Savannah Gates, Payson Gates, Hutson Gates, Chad Tipton (Julia), Tracy Reed, Russell Stark (Kristin), Jeremy Stark (Onyx), Sarah Stark, and fifteen great grandchildren, Landon, Cammy, Harley, Roman, James, Joesie, Macie, Trynity, Emma, Sterling, Channing, Ryling, Karsey Jo, Jakelyn, and August (on the way).
Visitation will be held Tuesday, December 9, 2025, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Griffin Funeral Service in Star City. Funeral Service will be Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at Griffin Funeral Service Chapel at 2:00 PM with Bro. Justin Fowler and Bro. Thomas McGriff officiating. Burial will be in Hickory Grove Cemetery. Pallbearers are her grandsons and great grandsons. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jerry Weast, Roger Weast, Ronnie Weast, Mike Weast, Starsky Weast, Hutch Weast.
Arrangements by Griffin Funeral Service in Star City.
