Elsie Ates

Mrs. Elsie Jane Smith Ates passed away peacefully in her sleep at 1:00 A.M. on January 19, 2015. She was 91 years old. Elsie was born September 15, 1923 to Stonewall and Jesse (Morrison) Smith in Monroe, Louisiana. At the time of her passing, she was living in Trisun River Ridge Nursing Facility in Corpus Christi, Texas. She had recently suffered a debilitating stroke which left her paralyzed on her right side. Elsie’s family sees her passing as a time for the celebration of her life and victory over pain and suffering. Elsie was predeceased by her husband Francis “Bud” Ates in 1995 after 55 years of marriage. Prior to his death, Bud and Elsie had lived in Pollock, Louisiana for 24 years. Elsie had a long and happy career working in banking with Guaranty Bank in Tioga, Louisiana, where she genuinely loved serving her customers. In her off time, she enjoyed spending time with Bud and going fishing, vegetable gardening and tending her beautiful flowers on their acre of land at the “top of the hill” on Bud Ates Road in Pollock. Both she and Bud could grow just about anything better than anyone else, but she always caught the most fish! She even had a “Red Worm” business, and everyone in Pollock knew that she would have red worms ready for them to pick up before daylight every morning, 7 days-a-week. They paid for the worms by the honor system by putting their money in a tin can with a slot cut in the top of the can hanging on the tree. She said, “No one every cheated me as far as I could tell.” Elsie moved to Corpus Christi, Texas in 1996 after her beloved husband’s death to be with her daughter. She will be missed by everyone who ever had the honor of knowing her. She said that her proudest achievement in life was graduating from high school because she was so poor growing up, she really never believed it could happen. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She is survived by three children, Rick Ates (Carol) of Seal Beach, California, Ed Ates of Lake Havasu, Arizona, and Debbie Ates Heider of Corpus Christi, Texas. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren, Rick’s; Richard Ates (Angie), James Ates, Paige Schaaf (Erik) and Brook Chapman (Aaron); Ed’s; Teresa Cordova (Manual), Katrina Bickel (Johnathan), Johnny Ates (Tye), and Debbie’s; Lori Crisp (Mark) and Edie Cornelius (Garren). Elsie was blessed with 12 great grandchildren, Zachary Ates, Jake Ates, Macie Ates, Meagann Mitchell, Summer Schaaf, Sonny Schaaf, Piper Chapman, Rye Chapman, Christopher Cordova, Emily Cordova, Lily Bickel and Katie Allsup. Visitation is scheduled on Thursday, January 22, 2015, from 10:00 A.M. to 12 Noon at Hixson Brothers Funeral Home located at 2701 Military Highway, Pineville, Louisiana, (318) 640-1678. Graveside services will follow at 2:00 P.M., located at Pollock City Cemetery in Grant Parish, Louisiana. Bro. Mark Crisp will be presiding over the graveside service.