Mildred Cates

Graveside services for Mildred E. Cates, 101, of Tyler, are at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014, in Tyler Memorial Park Cemetery with David Boyd officiating under direction of Burks Walker Tippit Funeral Home.

Mrs. Cates passed away on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014, in Tyler. She was born Oct. 12, 1912, in Lindale to the late James Edward and Lavinia Ethyl Taylor Whisenhunt. She spent most of her life as a young adult in Texarkana, where she obtained a license to sell real estate and volunteered in St. Michael's Hospital, a veterans' hospital, and with groups that worked with soldiers during World War II. She was active in numerous civic and service organizations including the Rebekah Lodge, Daughters of the American Revolution, serving as president of the Credit Union Women's Breakfast Club, and was instrumental in forming the AARP chapter in Texarkana.

At the First Baptist Church in Texarkana where she was a member, she taught Sunday school and sang in the choir. Eventually she became the director of Outreach. She also served many years as an accountant, working for businesses and helping friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Cates; a daughter, Mildred Ann Boyd; and a grandson, Matthew Boyd.

Survivors include son-in-law, Bobby Boyd, of Tyler; grandchildren, Florita Boyd, of Allen, Stephen Boyd and wife Suzanne, of Tyler, Deborah Harris and husband Mike, of Whitehouse, Theresa Walden and husband Phil, of Georgetown, Patricia Boyd, of Fort Worth; nine great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren.

Grandsons will serve as honorary pallbearers. Memorials may be made to The Salvation Army in Tyler.

Published in Tyler Morning Telegraph on Jan. 14, 2014.