On Saturday, May 4, 2019, Marie Elizabeth York of Plato passed away peacefully at the age of 85. Marie was born Aug. 8, 1933, to Virgil and Mary (Thompson) Bates, the fifth of 11 children. In 1951 she married the love of her life, Raymond York, and together they raised four children: Donald York, Ronald York, Michael York and Janet (York) Vestal.
Anyone who had the pleasure of being a part of Marie’s life would describe her as one of the most kind and compassionate people they knew. She worked for many years in different capacities at Fort Leonard Wood and held a special place in her heart for many of her coworkers who became dear friends. Marie was also active in her church community and spent several decades worshiping in the pews of Roby Baptist Church and serving in the nursery. Even after she became too ill to attend church, you could often find her in her rocking chair, re-reading her Bible from cover to cover in to the late hours of the night.
Marie was the very proud mother of four, grandmother of nine and was blessed with an abundance of great-grandchildren, all of whom she loved dearly. She took great joy in watching her grandchildren play in her beautiful backyard and would take walks with them throughout the farm she had called home for over 60 years.
She was a talented quilter, an avid gardener and enjoyed sitting on her back porch watching her cows and hummingbirds.
Marie was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond; son, Michael; her parents; several brothers and sisters; and a granddaughter, Sonni Marie.
She is survived by her three living children and their spouses, Don and Stephanie York, Ron and Kate York, and Janet and Lloyd Vestal; her brothers, Roy (Deany), Ray and Gary; and many grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
Services are Wednesday, May 8, 2019, at Roby Baptist Church with Wesley Wallace officiating. Burial will be in Palace Cemetery under the direction of Evans Funeral Home. Pallbearers are Bill Quirk, Tyler Crump, Eli York, Shane York, DJ York, Marshall Kemp and Richard Stokes.
Memorials may be made in lieu of flowers to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1500 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, Mo., 65804.
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