Eva Mae Yates

Eva Mae Gay Yates, 89 of Hot Springs passed away on Thursday, February 15. She was born in Miami, Florida.
She is preceded in death by her parents John Stevenson Gay and Nettie Gay and her brother James "Jim" Patrick Gay of West Hollywood, Florida.
Eva Yates was a mother, teacher and former wife of Phil A. Yates in which she was married to 32 years and had 3 daughters.
She is survived by her three daughters and their families...Gwynn Van Valkenburg (Derrick) granddaughter, Madalyn Pearson (Luke) and great-granddaughter, Harper Rae and daughter Michelle Watts (Steve) and daughter, Kamela Heuman (Bill) granddaughter Stephanie Davies (Everett) grandchildren - Kingsley, Tobias, and Elle and grandson, Thomas Heuman (Kassandra) and granddaughter, Hayden and grandson Mackenzie (Chelsea) and grandchildren Ollie and Isla. She also had a whole host of nieces and nephews that she loved and enjoyed so much and her sister-in-law, Mildred Gay were so supportive during this difficult time.
Eva loved children and delighted in teaching. She earned her Elementary Education degree in University of Florida at Gainesville. She later earned her Master's Degree from Henderson University at Arkadelphia, AR. She started the Girl Scout troops at Lake Hamilton and at one time had three Girl Scout troops at the same time. She not only worked with the girls, but focused on badge work with the scouts and service work. She held a lifelong passion for learning and even in her health decline she watched discovery channel and nature shows, one of the social workers said "Most of the people are watching westerns and your mother was watching alligators!" She enjoyed adventure shows and had traveled with National Geographic Society to China, New Zealand, and Australia and went to many countries in Europe. She loved nature and was one of the Charter Members of Garvan Gardens and was on the board with founding members along with others on creating Wolf Park at Lake Hamilton. Her daughters learned patience from her and even at the end of her life the nurses and hospice chaplain would say "Your mother has the best smile" and said "She lights up the room". Our mother appreciated all friends and visitors that she had. She was a hospital visitor with St. Luke's Episcopal Church and had completed the Community of Hope. She was a member of AAUW (American Association for University Women), and her teaching sorority. Her first year and the last year she received "Teacher of the Year". She had struggled with poor health the last three years of her life- her daughters communicated with each other on her care daily taking her to restaurants, doctor's appointments, gifts, rides in the car and thoughtful cards and surprises, events in Hot Springs and most nights a tuck-in from her daughter, Michelle. She was devoted to her daughters and her daughters were devoted to her.
She recently got to see her newest arrival of great granddaughter, Harper Rae, born in July 2023.
We appreciate all the love and friendship that has been extended to us during these past few years and with people's busy lives. It all made a difference to us! Please join us for services on Thursday, February 22, 2024 at 11 a.m. at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Hot Springs with celebration in the parish hall afterwards.