Elizabeth "Bettie" Ann Bates

Elizabeth Ann "Bettie" (Cargill) Bates, a lifelong resident of the Skagit Valley, went home to be with her Lord and Savior peacefully at the age of 103 on July 27,2026 in Sedro-Woolley, Washington.

Bettie was born on November 21, 1922, in Sedro Woolley, Washington, to Willis and Sylvia (Marvel) Cargill. She graduated from Sedro-Woolley High School in 1940, where she enjoyed playing on the girls' basketball team. In 1944, she married Adoniram "Ad" Bates in Hanford, California. They shared 63 wonderful years of marriage until Ad's passing in 2007.

Bettie was a Proverbs 31 wife and mother whose life was marked by love, hard work, and generosity. Her gift for cooking and baking blessed family, friends, and anyone fortunate enough to gather around her table. She was especially known for her cherished Christmas almond stick pastries, a family favorite that became part of many treasured holiday memories.

An accomplished quilter and avid canner, Bettie created countless quilts and preserved the harvest for those she loved. She especially enjoyed searching for morel mushrooms to fry and picking blackberries to make her delicious cobblers and pies.

She faithfully supported her sons and grandchildren by attending their sporting events and remained an enthusiastic fan of the Seattle Mariners and Seattle Seahawks.

Bettie also had a wonderful sense of humor and a quick wit. Her familiar expressions, "Well, I'll be darned," or “Holy Mackerel” became sayings her family will always hear in their hearts. Her warmth, laughter, and gentle spirit made every gathering brighter.

Bettie was baptized in 2009. Her quiet faith was reflected in the life she lived—in the love she gave, the meals she prepared, the family she cherished, and the kindness she showed to others.

Bettie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ad Bates; her parents, Willis and Sylvia Cargill; her brother, Jim Cargill; and her sisters, Frances Cooper and Carol Gagnon.

She is lovingly remembered by her sons, Bill Bates and Steve Bates (Kim); four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and many extended family members and friends who will cherish her memory.

A Celebration of Life will be held on September 13 at Bob Cushen Barn, 303 E. Jones Rd. in Sedro Woolley. Interment will be under the care of Hawthorne Funeral Home and Memorial Park in Mount Vernon, WA.

Her life was a beautiful example of quiet faith, steadfast love, and unwavering devotion to her family. The traditions she began, the love she gave so freely, and the memories she created will continue to bless her family for years to come. She will always be remembered for her kindness, her gentle spirit, her enduring sense of humor, and for the familiar words that so often brought a smile: "Well, I'll be darned."