Elizabeth Bartee

Elizabeth Bartee, 91, died at 5:30 p.m. on May 4, 2015. Elizabeth was born June 15, 1923, to James Willie Latimer and Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Pickens in Lockesburg, Arkansas. Elizabeth grew up on a farm where she learned how to pick cotton. She attended a small country school with only 2 classrooms. Growing up she had 4 sisters and 1 brother and a multitude of cousins.
Elizabeth married Major Bartee on August 18, 1944 in De Queen, Arkansas.

After World War II, Elizabeth and Major moved to California where she raised 3 boys and worked part time for a jewelry store. Elizabeth enjoyed raising flowers in her yard in California. Throughout the years she and Major attended church at Temple Baptist Church in Norwalk, California; Beaty Avenue Baptist Church in Whittier, California; Temple Baptist Church in Fullerton, California; and Northwest Baptist Church in Bellingham, Washington. In 2001, she and Major moved to Bellingham, Washington to be near their grandchildren.

Over the years, she travelled to Hawaii, Alaska, and other parts of the country. Elizabeth enjoyed her long happy life as a Christian and frequently spoke of being reunited with her loving husband of 64 years.

Elizabeth is survived by her three sons (M. David and his wife, Janet; Mitchell and his partner, Richard; Bruce and his wife, Barbara) and her grandchildren, Alec Major and wife Rachel and Erin Rae.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff at Highland for their care of Elizabeth.
Memorial Services will be held 2:30 p.m., Friday, May 8, 2015 at Northwest Baptist Church, 3545 Northwest Avenue, Bellingham, 98225.