Betty Jean Yates

Betty Jean Yates (née Decoteau) of Frostproof, FL passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on February 5, 2022.  Born March 8, 1947, in Ware, Massachusetts to Frances J. and Raymond A., Betty moved to Florida with her family as a young girl and grew up camping, fishing, and enjoying South Florida’s pristine beaches. Raised Catholic, Betty said she found God most often in any oak hammock, cypress swamp or the pine flatwoods of Florida.

She married Howard Henry Yates, the love of her life, in 1968 and gave birth to Laura Jean in 1969. They made a home in Polk County for 45 years. Betty combined her love of homemaking and agriculture by leading Laura’s 4-H club. While working full-time as a rural postal carrier, Betty helped build Yates Cattle, a family-owned Polk County business, into the legacy it is today. At the time of Howard’s passing in 2018, Yates Cattle became a woman-owned and managed agricultural business and is still run by Laura, her husband Michael Rust and their son Dugan Yates Rust.

Betty touched countless lives and will be remembered for her many talents and kindnesses; her volunteer work at grandson Dugan’s school; her bountiful lunches for the cow crew, with cracklin’ cornbread and a full spread transported to the oak-shaded pasture; as well as her kindness to animals- rescuing many cats, dogs, one notable squirrel, Rocky , and even one “robo-deer” that Betty determinedly tried to shoo away to safety when she saw it by the side of the road...only to hear the wildlife ranger giggling behind the bushes in glee at watching her mechanical deer rescue underway.

All of us who knew and loved Betty will miss her level-headedness, her down home cookin’, the warm holiday celebrations she hosted with such love, and the inimitable grace and good-heartedness we relied on as a cornerstone of our family. Of all her accomplishments, most dear to Betty were her roles as a wife, mother and especially grandmother to her Dugan. Betty was a proud member of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association, and she served on the SAC (school advisory council) for Frostproof High School.

Betty was preceded in death by her beloved Howard. She is survived by her daughter Laura Yates-Rust(Michael), grandson Dugan and her sisters Kathleen, Patricia, and Colleen,

A celebration of Betty’s Life will be held Saturday, March 26, 2022, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Lake Wales, FL with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM and a mass at 11:00 AM, to be followed by tea and light refreshments.

Rest in Peace to a beautiful soul.