Gwendolyn Ann Yates

Susie graduated from La Grange High School in 1964 and later from McNeese State College, School of Nursing (now McNeese State University) with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She was a lifelong registered nurse. She married Jack Yates in 1972, and they lived in Houston for over 52 years where they raised two daughters, Melissa and Sandra.

Susie’s first job out of nursing school was at St. Luke’s Hospital in the Texas Medical Center as a cardiovascular nurse in surgical recovery. She also worked at Hillcroft Medical Clinic before she retired in 2003. She remained extremely knowledgeable in medicine and ready to talk about it with any and every one. Her favorite advice to give, “It’s never too late to become a nurse,” inspired many.

Being a New Year’s Eve baby, she would always say that the whole world celebrated her birthday. If the whole world knew her, they would have loved her just like everyone that met her. She always had a kind word to say and an internal happiness, making her friends, family, and caregivers smile and laugh till the end.

She is preceded in death by her parents Ellon and James, and brother, James Robert Bentely.

She is survived by her husband, Jack, and two daughters, Melissa Yates Tomlinson and Sandra Yates.

The family will have an informal burial service at a later time.

In lieu of pink roses, you can make a donation to St. Luke’s Foundation Friends of Nursing (https://supportstlukes.org/friends-of-nursing) or Houston Humane Society (https://www.houstonhumane.org/). Remember to toast to Susie each New Year’s Eve.