Obituary - Violet M. Yates

Violet M. Yates, 94, Pullman

The service to celebrate the life of Violet May Yates is at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Pullman Presbyterian Church.

Mrs. Yates died Saturday, July 19, 2003, at the age of 94 at Palouse Hills Nursing Center in Pullman.

She was born March 27, 1909, at Kalispell, Mont., to James and Pearl Nye McPheeters. She was the oldest of 12 children. Violet graduated early from Flathead County High School and from Montana State Normal School at Dillon in 1927. Her mother died that year and Violet became the only "mother" her younger siblings can remember. In 1928, her father hired a housekeeper, and Violet taught in a one-room school nearby.

Mrs. Yates lived in Montana most of her youth and early marriage before moving to Spokane in 1942. In 1948, the family moved to Pullman where all 10 children attended Washington State University.

She married Leon Glen Yates Easter Sunday, March 31, 1929, and they celebrated nearly 63 years of marriage before his death in 1992. He was employed as a civil engineer at WSU until his retirement in 1970.

Several honors were accorded Violet, including WSU Queen Mother in May 1956; Palouse Empire Mother of the Year in 1983; and recognition in the Jefferson Awards by the Seattle PI newspaper, first as a couple in 1989 and again when she turned 90 in 1999.

Mrs. Yates was a devoted mother and homemaker. As an active member of the Pullman community, she served in many areas of the Pullman Presbyterian Church women's organizations and other fellowships. In addition, she sponsored a Camp Fire group for several years and was a relief cook for Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.

For more than 20 years, the Yates home was the meeting place where hundreds of international women studied conversational English. She loved teaching English, and in 1989 a scholarship was established in her name to teach women English. Leon and Violet traveled to many countries where they were welcomed into the homes of these students.

Mrs. Yates is survived by seven sons and three daughters, Lee Yates of Medford, Ore., David Yates of Lacey, Wash., Robert, Wilbur and Larry Yates, all of Spokane, Dale Yates of Centerville, Utah, John Yates of Washington, D.C., Pearl Wiechmann of Wagner, S.D., Ruth Enos of Colfax and Marilee Martin of Pullman. In addition, Violet is survived by a sister, Helen McReynolds; a brother, Lester McPheeters; more than 40 grandchildren; and more than 80 great-grandchildren.

A granddaughter and a great-grandson preceded her in death.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Pullman Presbyterian Church, WSU Foundation Violet Yates Endowment Fund or the Whitman County Hospice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Kimball Funeral Home in Pullman.

Lewiston Tribune, July 24, 2003, p. 6A
Transcribed by Jill Leonard Nock