Ellen H. Bates, 97, of Payson, UT passed away February 25, 2024 of old age. She was surrounded by her loved ones.
Ellen was born May 28, 1926 in Blue Hill, Maine to Kenneth W. and Elizabeth H. Howard. She was the youngest of 3 children. She had 2 older brothers, K. Weymouth and Frank Howard who liked to tease her. They taught her to swim by rocking and sinking their little row boat. She had no choice but to swim to shore. She learned how to make pies from her grandmother who owned a little restaurant called The Bungalow in Brockton, MA. She also loved spending her summers in Blue Hill, Maine at her grandparent’s home on her mother’s side of the family. Her Uncle Roland was an antique collector who shared his love of beautiful old things with her. She learned to love the history of her family artifacts. Ellen had a great memory and could recite the history of every vase, bowl and piece of furniture she inherited from her family members.
Ellen met Charles L Bates Jr (Charlie) at the age of 15 at dancing school in Brockton, MA. Charlie was 17. They started dating immediately. They continued dating until Charlie left to serve in the Army Air Force during WWII. Charlie and Ellen’s brothers, Weymouth and Frank, all left for service the same week. Her brothers served in the Navy during the war and she worked in a shoe factory making boots for the servicemen. Ellen, her mother and Charlie’s mother (who were best friends) had a trip planned to go visit family in Blue Hill, Maine. While Charlie was home on leave, he received notice that the war was ending and was released from duty. Ellen took him to one of their special places asked if he would like to marry her and join her and their mothers on their trip and make a honeymoon out of it. Charlie said okay, it sounded like a good idea. They were married June 29, 1945. Charlie & Ellen loved to tell the story about going on their honeymoon with their mothers and the $11 bus ticket for Charlie to join them. They stayed at Ellen’s Uncle Roland’s house on the beautiful bay in Blue Hill, Maine.
Ellen worked in various jobs to help financially support her husband Charlie while he attended North Eastern University in Boston, MA. She was always his biggest supporter. She encouraged him to pursue his dreams and career aspirations. They moved to Utah in 1966, two weeks after their 6th child was born, to start their new company Valtek. Charlie always attributed his success to the support of “Sister Lovely Bates” as he lovingly called her.
Charlie and Ellen joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1958 while pregnant with their 4th child Pamela. They were sealed in the Los Angeles temple in 1960. Charlie and Ellen have 6 children: Charles L Bates III (Darrellyn), Jean E Prete (Lon), William W Bates (Wanda), Pamela E Page (Rick), James E Bates, and Derelys A Patrick (Joel); 20 grandchildren, and many great grandchildren & great great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband Charlie and children Jeannie, Pam & Jim.
Ellen loved being a mother and homemaker. She always made time to listen and be a support to her children and grandchildren. When it was something big, her family would ask her to say one of her “special” prayers because they always knew they would be answered. She also loved traveling with Charlie on his many business trips. Charlie and Ellen were inseparable from the time they met.
Ellen loved animals. The strays seemed to always find her. She took in dogs, cats and even a few mice she rescued from her cat. She loved riding horses. She took lessons and loved showing her horse Little Belle. When she moved from Mapleton to Payson, she gave her cardiologist her beloved Little Belle.
Ellen had a love for sporty convertibles and was known for her license plate SKYGAL. Her love of convertibles began when Charlie gave her a red convertible Plymouth Valiant for her birthday in 1964. She went on to own many more convertibles with her last being a little Mazda Miata. That passion has been passed on to many of her family members.
Ellen and Charlie purchased Alpine Aviation in Provo, UT. She made the newspaper at age 50 when she got her pilot’s license. She said she wanted to know how to land the plane if Charlie had a heart attack. Soloing in a plane was one of her scariest experiences, but she did it!
Ellen loved being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She always attributed the success of her marriage to Charlie to being a member of the Church. She said it made them better people. They were married for 56 years when he passed away of cancer. She was always so grateful for the sister missionaries who found them in North Easton, MA. Ellen was a woman of great faith. She loved her Savior, Jesus Christ and strived to follow His example. She served in many callings including Relief Society President, Sunday School teacher, Primary teacher, Young Women’s leader. Her favorite calling was teaching Sunday School. While living in California, she took her class to Disneyland if they were good. She loved helping the kids see their potential and help better their lives. The last weeks of her life were spent sharing her testimony to her children and grandchildren. When asked what her final advice was, she said Carry-on, Carry-on, Carry-on! She said it’s not goodbye, but adieu.
Ellen will be missed by her family and those who knew and loved her. She had a big heart and was very generous and kind to those around her. She was a great example of faith. We love and miss you!
Ellen and her family would like to give a special thank you to Aspen Ridge Home Health and Hospice. Especially to Andrea & Charity who so lovingly took care of her the past few years of her life. They are true disciples of Christ and great examples of loving kindness. She cherished their visits and was so grateful for their friendship and care.
Per Ellen’s request, we are not holding a public funeral. She wanted to keep it simple with only her family.
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