Elmira “Myrt” Elizabeth Bates, 90, of Sweet Home, died at her home early on the morning of Jan. 9, 2010.

She was born April 19, 1919 in Cleveland, Ohio to John and Ethel (Davis) Lengle.

After five adventuresome car trips back and forth from New York to California, Washington and Oregon during 1953 to 1960, she settled with her husband Paul and three children in Sweet Home, where they resided since November 1960.

Mrs. Bates was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Sweet Home. She belonged to the bowling team for many years and enjoyed playing cards with her pinochle club every Thursday for over 40 years.

She enjoyed crocheting and gardening and played many hours of Yahtzee with her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Sandra and Jack Smith of Sweet Home, Mary and Mark Galloway of Sweet Home, Gwen and Elwyn Riley of Maine, N.Y., and Ethel and Larry Orton of Brooktondale, N.Y.; sons and daughters-in-law William and Sandra Bates of Sweet Home, and Ronald and Marilee Williams of Halfway; 26 grandchildren; 43 great-
grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Bates was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Alma Bailey and Ruth Bailey; granddaughter Collette Ann Valentine (1960); and her ex-husband and life-long friend Paul William Bates (2006).

Viewing will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14, at the Sweet Home Evangelical Church. Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15, at Sweet Home Evangelical Church.

Private Burial will follow at Gilliland Cemetery. Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.