Robert Donald Pleasants, Sr. age 86, of Hot Springs known to most as "Big Daddy" passed away Friday, March 2, 2018. He was born February 6, 1932 in Hot Springs to the late Robert Henry and Rosa Beatrice Cummings Pleasants, Jr. He was the fourth child and only son born to this union. His sisters proudly called him "Brother". He was also preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Willie Mae Ticer Pleasants (Dec. 17, 2016); sisters, Roberta Butler, Rose Marie Barron and Emma Jean Grant, grandson, Ranthony Ward

The Pleasants family was a house hold name in the city of Hot Springs, AR. Their family history is dated back as far as c1863. The Pleasants had a restaurant at 36 Central Ave, they offered "the best cooked 15 cents meals in the city".They also was known for owing rooming homes, barber shop, pool parlor and the "ppp" ice cream parlor. The family was raised uptown on Ozark Street.

Robert was a graduate of the Historic Langston High School. He was an avid football player and ran track. After high school he joined the United States Army and retired after twenty years of service. He later retired from the Ouachita Civilization Conservation Center from May 5, 1971 – February 22, 1992.

Robert was a family man and loved helping people in need. He was never one to boost about what he had done for others. He and his wife was known in the community for their cooking and sharing with others. His specialty was bar-b-Que. He was very fond of his grandchildren. He had a riding lawn mower which was named "Katie" and all of his grandchildren have fond memories of riding and driving the lawn mower. He and his family where affiliated with Haven United Methodist Church and Ebeneezer Baptist Church.

Those left to cherish his memories and to continue his legacy include his children, Rosetta Spence-Pleasants, Ricky Pleasants, Renata Ward-Pleasants, Robert Pleasants, Jr, and Renee Pleasants-Southern all of Hot Springs; his sisters, Doris Littlejohn of Hot Springs and Gertrude "Micky" Russell of Peoria, IL; sister-in-law, Elizabeth McMillan of Hot Springs; 24 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews and extended family.

Memorial service will be 12:00 PM, Friday, March 9, 2018 at Haven United Methodist Church 107 Burroughs Street with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers memorials are requested to Haven United Methodist Church 107 Burroughs Street Hot Springs, AR 71913 or Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church 401 Lacey Street Hot Springs, AR 71913 or P.H.O.B.E. P.O. Box 363 Hot Springs, 71902.

Guest registry is at http://www.carriganmemorial.com .

Arrangements are entrusted to Carrigan Memorial Funeral Services.