Bettye Yater's Obituary
Bettye Lou Kellis Yater, affectionally known as Mimi to all her family and friends, went to be with her Lord Friday, November 3, 2023. She passed peacefully at her residence.
A native of Longview, Bettye was born on May 30, 1931, to Vera Lou Bright and Marion Brooks “Dick” Kellis in Longview.
She graduated from Longview High School in 1948. While in high school she met the love of her life, Paul Abney Yater. The high school sweethearts married on December 3, 1949. Their faith and love of family, friends and travel was evident in all aspects of their married life. They were married for almost 61 years when Paul passed away on August 1, 2010.
Bettye worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone and Texas Eastman before becoming a stay-at-home wife and mother. God blessed Bettye and Paul with a beautiful baby girl which completed their loving family and for Mimi, her family was her whole world.
She leaves behind her best friend and the light of her life, daughter Terrye Ellen Hudson, her husband Mike and three adorable and precious grandchildren, Paul, Matthew, and Melissa, who she thought “hung the moon” and brought her so much joy and happiness. She never missed the opportunity to support them, whether that be at church, school or in their everyday lives.
She enjoyed spending time with her family, working crossword puzzles, playing cards with her friends and the never-ending game of Mexican Train. She rediscovered her love of dogs. Puppy cheese parties on Mimi’s back porch became an every afternoon event. Her love for being outside was obvious. If she wasn’t working in her yard, watering her flowers, or feeding the birds, she was swinging on her front porch swing looking at and listening to all of God’s glorious creations.
Her quiet and unwavering faith was evident in her full obedience to God and continues to provide comfort to her surviving family and friends.
Her quiet and unwavering faith was evident in her full obedience to God and continues to provide comfort to her surviving family and friends.
The family will greet friends on Thursday, November 9, 2023 at Rader Funeral home from 5:00 - 7:00 pm and will gather to celebrate her life on Friday, November 10, 2023 at 2:00 in the Rader Chapel. A private family burial will take place Saturday morning.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations or memorials be made to Meals With Love, a program through Longview Christian Ministries, or Boy Scouts of America Troop 201 Alumni Foundation. C/O Jay Bissell, P.O. Box 5214, Longview Texas, 75608
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