Mary Yates

Mary B. Yates, 92, of Abilene passed away Monday, November 10, 2014 in Abilene.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, November 13 at Grace United Methodist Church, with Ronnie Newton officiating. Burial will follow at Elmwood Memorial Park. A visitation with the family will be held on Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Elmwood Funeral Home at 5750 US HWY 277 South.

Mary B. Dorothy Lee Van Etten was born on April 24, 1922 in Wichita, Kansas to Moses Wm. and Beulah Ophelia Graham Van Etten. In 1926 she moved to and was raised around GuionBradshawOvalo, TX, and lived most of her life in Taylor County. She married William Alvie Cotton Yates on June 29, 1941. They were together for 67 years until his passing in 2008.

Mary was a longtime faithful since 1948 of Grace United Methodist Church and was a past member of the Abilene Victory Club Prior to the Junior League of Abilene. She kept children in her home and ironed for the public in the 1950s and early 1960s before working at the Windsor Hotel first as an elevator operator, then as a banquet waitress serving conventions and local civic clubs. When Mack Eplen opened Briarstone Manor she went to work there serving various civic clubs and events before retiring in 1998.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, parents and one brother Norman G. Top Van Etten.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Marie Alvilene Tatum her son, H. Mike Yates two granddaughters, Amy Tatum and husband Scott and Jeanne Tatum, all of Abilene one brother, Dallas A. Van Etten of Coleman several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memorials may be made in her name to Grace United Methodist Church, 1402 Grape St, Abilene, TX, 79603 and to Meals on Wheels of Abilene.

Online condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.elmwoodfuneral.com

Visitation

Elmwood Funeral Home
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
6:00 8:00 PM

Service

Funeral Service

Grace United Methodist Church
1402 Grape St.
Abilene, TX  79601
Thursday, November 13, 2014
2:00 PM

Cemetery

Elmwood Memorial Park
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606

Memorial Contributions

PO Box 903
Abilene, TX  79604


1402 Grape St.
Abilene, TX  79601