Eva Urdaz Yates

Eva Urdaz Yates, of Winter Garden, FL, was affectionately known as “Grandma.” She was born on March 12, 1923, in Arecibo, Puerto Rico; and at the age of 102, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on December 15, 2025, in Clermont, Florida. The week before her passing, she suffered a stroke. She will be laid to rest at the Woodlawn Memorial Park in Gotha, Florida.

Eva met her husband Ola Yates in Puerto Rico while she was studying to be a nurse, and he was in the miliary. Their courtship quickly led to them being married on September 1, 1942. Together they had three children: Irene, Susan, and Eunice.

For most of her marriage, Eva was a homemaker; however, she did work for a few years as a Payroll Clerk for the Air Force. As she and her husband neared retirement age, they both moved to Georgia to become house parents with the Christian City Children’s Home near Atlanta, Georgia.

In her free time, it was not uncommon to see Eva in front of her sewing machine, reading a book, putting together puzzles, or on the phone with family and friends. She loved being sociable and knowing everything that was going on with those around her. She was also very creative and loved art and crafts. She even created costumes for a local dance studio.

Although her abundant life is filled with many accomplishments, she will be most remembered for her faith, joy for life, and heart for others.

Before her dementia worsened in her final years, Grandma spent every morning reading her Bible and praying for everyone on her church’s prayer list, as well as every one of her family members. Whenever someone was sick or suffering, she would call the ladies on her church’s prayer chain so that she could get the entire church to pray. Her prayers were a lifeline; so much so, she would call herself Jesus’ Little Lamb. She knew the importance and the power of prayer, and she wanted all she cared about to be covered in that grace and protection!

Grandma always had this joy for life. She loved to laugh and make others laugh. She always tried to find humor in things, and this was infectious to all around her.

Grandma had this unique gift to see the needs of others and find a way to have that need filled. She was always willing to give others the shirt off her back, and sometimes the shirt off your back, if you were in the vicinity. It was not uncommon for her to take food to widows, cook for those she cared about, and have an open door to her home for family and friends to visit or live with her from time to time.

In her last few years on this earth, Grandma suffered with dementia, but she was still used by the Lord. She may not have remembered the date or the names of those around her, but she spent her time letting others know how beautiful or handsome they were, and always expressed great gratitude for anything anyone did for her. She was a bright light that will continue to live in our hearts forever.

Eva was preceded in death by her father--Jose Urdaz Balseiro, her mother--Maria Cristina Perez Perez, her husband--Ola Yates, her stepson--Jerry Yates and his children--Keith Yates, Leah Yates, and Jerry Yates Jr., her daughters--Irene Hall and Eunice Yates, and her siblings--Lydia Urdaz, Ruth Roque, Orpha Urdaz, Dorcas Santana, Noe Urdaz, and Enoch Urdaz.

Eva is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Philip Walter, grandchildren—Jason Hall and his wife Evelyn, Eva Zaldumbide and her husband Elvis, Alison LePore and her husband Paul, Anna McCrickard and her husband David, Rachel Futrill and her husband Travis, her great grandchildren—Christopher McGarry and his wife Lizbeth, Jason Hall Jr, Jeffrey Hall, Elena Zaldumbide, Elisa Hupal, her husband Danny and their children Philip, Lucille, and Marigold, and Eric Zaldumbide. Also, she is survived by her four sisters--Egla Grana, Nohemi Zerbi, Nancy Mayol, and Mary Rosario.

She will be missed dearly by her family and friends, and we look forward to seeing her again when we get to Heaven.

A visitation will be held on December 20, 2025, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Woodlawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home, located at 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road, Gotha, FL 34734.

The funeral service will follow on the same day, December 20, 2025, from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the same venue.

A committal service will take place on December 20, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 4:30 pm at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Funeral Home, located at 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Rd, Gotha, FL 34734.