Ryland Delano (Shorty) Bates, 75, of 3520 Kanawha Trail, Covington, died, Monday, November 30, 2009 at Alleghany Regional Hospital in Low Moor.

He was born February 11, 1934 in Alleghany County, a son of the late Cecil A. and Bamma Masters Bates.

Mr. Bates was a retired custodian with the Covington School System.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Bates was preceded in death by a daughter, Bamma Kay Jefferies; and three brothers, Gordon Bates, Ellis Bates and Charles Bates.

Surviving are his son, Ryland Lanier Bates and his wife, Shirley, of Covington; eight grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren, two brothers, Alvin Bates and his wife, Gladys, and John P. Bates, all of Covington; one sister, Betty Harvey and her husband, Arnold, of Covington and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 4, 2009 in the Arritt Funeral Home Chapel. The interment will follow in the Sweet Chalybeate Cemetery. The family will receive their friends Thursday evening from 7:00 until 8:30 PM at the Arritt Funeral Home, Covington, VA.