Martha Cates

Martha Louise Elizabeth Miller Cates, also known as Wezee, Granny-grunt or Gran-Gran, of Iredell, Texas, passed away on February 13, 2017, in Fort Worth, Texas after complications with pneumonia. She was 96 and lived outside Iredell.

A graveside service will be held at 1 P.M., Saturday, March 11, 2017 at the Montvale Cemetery in Sterling City. Graveside services will be conducted by John McGinnis, husband of granddaughter Lisa.

Louise Miller Cates was born in Milam County near Milano to Doll and Clyde Miller on January 15, 1921. One month before graduating high school, she quit school to marry Denton Dale Cates on April 28, 1938, in Coke County. They were married 46 years before his passing. Louise Cates was a welder in the shipyards in Richmond, California, during WWII, repairing war damaged PT boats. During her time living on ranches, Dale killed wild animals and Louise stretched the hides because at that time Montgomery Ward bought them. Just one of the ways they made money for their family. She later worked as a grocery clerk, a cook in a school cafeteria, and cleaned offices. She was a wonderful mother, having raised three daughters, and a devoted housewife. She was a master cook in the kitchen. Her fried chicken, buttermilk biscuits, pecan pies, and Christmas candies were among family favorites. She greatly enjoyed family and was to all a shining example of generosity, love, hard work, and sacrifice. She was instrumental in helping a nephew escape angry in-laws to marry the love of his life, and who recently celebrated their 64th anniversary. When she was 92 she sprayed her hair pink to support a friend with breast cancer and spent time caring for a dying daughter and a sister. She was happiest when working in her vegetable or flower gardens, tending her 50 pecan trees, sewing, using the farm tractor Dale gave her for their anniversary, watching her Texas Rangers win, and keeping her car in excellent running condition. She could be found beneath that car changing the oil even into her 90's. The first time she welded on a muffler she threw up for fear of the car falling on her, but she did it. There was nothing she could not do. Throughout her life, she was involved in church work. She diligently mailed Bible correspondence courses to people in Africa as well as the United States. She last attended the Hico Church of Christ. Lousie Cates was a faithful worker for her Lord.

Louise Cates is preceded in death by her husband, Dale; her daughters, Joyce Chenoweth and Gail Fields; her sisters, Polly Thiers and Lorene Brown; her parents, Clyde and Doll Miller.

Louise Cates is survived by her daughter, Elaine Cates of Cleburne; six grandchildren, Lisa McGinnis and husband, John, of Iredell, Dale Jones and wife, Sandy, of Houston, Sheri Glidewell and husband, Paul, of Jacksboro, Jason Fields and wife, Rebecca, of Saginaw, Melissa Cates of Houston, Cody Chenoweth and wifem Rachel, of Corpus Christi; 13 great-grandchildren; 9 nieces and nephews; and numerous great nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in the name of Louise Cates to:
Cherokee Children's Home
P.O. Box 295
Cherokee, Texas 76832
or to one of your personal favorite charities.

The family of Louise Cates wishes to extend their sincere thanks to Dr. Madhu Kollipara and the nurses at Texas Health Alliance Hospital who assisted her in her last days and to the numerous family members and friends whose prayers made this difficult journey bearable. Louise Cates was an amazing wife, mother, relative, friend, Christian and a powerful influence on all who knew her.

Words of comfort and peace can be sent to the family at www.lawsonfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements were made by Lawson Funeral Home, Meridian, Texas 254-435-2792.