Alene Anne Yates Obituary (1927 - 2015)

Alene Yates, 88, of Mount Vernon died Thursday May 21, 2015 at her home with family by her side. A viewing was held Wednesday May 27, 2015 at Driskill Memorial Chapel from 12:00-7:00 PM. The funeral service was held Thursday May 28, 2015 at 10:00 AM at the Living Word Christian Center with Pastor Sharon Miller officiating. A precession to Canyon City Cemetery followed the service. Alene Annie Lois Horton was born in Cook County, GA., on March 17, 1927 to Martha Ida Bishop and Henry Mitchell Horton. Her name was eventually shortened to Alene Anne Horton, as the social security administration would not allow such a long name. She was next to the youngest of 10 children. She lived for a time with her oldest sister, Hazel Tyson, in Tifton, GA., working as a waitress during the summer, and then returning home to finish school. In her younger years she worked alongside her family in the cotton fields. She met Army Airman Tom Yates while working as a waitress in a diner in Moultrie, GA. As she saw him walking into the restaurant, she said to her friend "there's the man I am going to marry" and that she did 6 weeks later in Tifton, GA., while he was stationed with the U.S Army Air Corps at Spence Field in Moultrie, GA. They had 3 children together, and eventually settled in New Mexico. In 1986 Tom and Alene moved from Los Lunas, NM., to Oregon and spent the rest of there lives in a log house on 30 acres of land at the end of Widows Creek Rd between Mt. Vernon and Dayville. Alene enjoyed sewing, quilting, and made many beautiful quilts and afghans for her family, as well as mending and altering clothing. She and Tom loved to garden, and always had a large garden that kept them busy. Much of the fruit and vegetables were canned and shared with others. The real joys of her life were he 3 children, 11 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. She truly adored babies. She and her husband enjoyed their life together, and always kept busy; whether it was fishing, prospecting or a business venture. She was known for her Southern cooking among friends and family. She is preceded in death by her husband Tom Yates, several brothers and sisters, a granddaughter, and one great granddaughter. She is survived by sons Harold (Lois) Yates of Concordia, Missouri, Dan Yates of Pang Burn, Arkansas , daughter Tollene (Gerald) Russell of Mt. Vernon, Oregon, and many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Memorial Contributions may be made to Blue Mountain Hospice or Gospel for Asia through Driskill Memorial Chapel 241 S. Canyon Blvd. John Day, OR 97845