Elsie Lenora Cates, 77, passed away on Tuesday, November 17. 2020. Graveside service: 1:00 PM, Monday, November 23, 2020, Holly Hills Memorial Park.
Elsie Lenora Cates was born in San Angelo, Texas on December 5, 1942 to Oscar J. Barina Sr. and Mildred Louise Huntsucker. She was the oldest of five children: Lenora, Howard, Joe, Sharon and later Lloyd. She grew up in Goldsmith, TX with her family. She attended Odessa High school and graduated in 1962. While she was in High School she met the love of her life, Don Cates who was a sailor in the U.S. Navy. They were married on June 1, 1962. Her journey as a new wife began as a Navy wife, being stationed in different places and writing letter after letter to her sailor, wishing and waiting for him to return from sea. They soon returned to civilian life and moved to San Angelo, TX to try to start a family. After trying unsuccessfully for 5 years to have children, they decided to adopt a baby. They adopted Anita Michelle as a newborn baby and were surprised to find out soon after that they were pregnant. Little did they know that when Lenora went into labor they would be blessed with twin girls, Reba and Rebecca. So the Lord answered their prayer and she became a new mother to 3 infant baby girls. She was a mother and made that her mission from that day forward. She was a mother figure to everyone in her family and she loved all of her family dearly.
She and Don eventually moved their family to Angleton, TX in 1974 where they were active in the Church of Christ. Lenora saw a family at church who were fostering children and she was inspired. She wanted to share her love with children and to give them a loving home. She and Don soon became foster parents and fostered children for 17 years.
Lenora became a grandmother in 1995. She and Don retired in 1997 and moved to be closer to their 3 grandchildren who they adored and spoiled every time they got the chance. Lenora lost her beloved husband Don in 2007 and moved to Ft Worth where she lived with her family until her passing.
She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 45 years, Donald Cates and their daughter, Rebecca Chapman. She is also preceded by her parents Oscar and Mildred Barina, her brother Joe Barina and her sister, Sharon Kuhn.
She is survived by her daughter Reba Stasey of Ft Worth, TX, her daughter Michelle Croft and her husband Glenn Croft of Haslet, TX ; her granddaughters, Katie Croft and Kelly Croft of Haslet, TX and her grandson Kyle Croft and his wife Raeghen of Denton, TX. She is also survived her bothers Lloyd Barina of Granbury, TX and Howard Barina of Brady, TX, as well as nieces Angela Kuhn and Angela Dockery and many other nieces and nephews who loved their “Aunt Nono.”
She lived her life for the Lord and kept his commandment to love everyone. She was a soul full of love. Folks were drawn to her sweet spirit and the love she gave to all she met. She always had a smile to share and a hug to give and her sweet joyful laugh would always warm your heart. She was a true blessing in the lives of all who knew her. We will carry her with us in our heart forever.
1 John 4:8, NIV: “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love
