Lena Valee Partin Yates, 82, of Kirksville, Missouri, formerly of Queen City, Missouri, passed away January 29, 2017, at Twin Pines Adult Care Center.

Lena was born November 16, 1934, near Low Ground, Missouri, in rural Putnam County the daughter of Dave and Goldie Shankin Partin. On April 28, 1951, she married Murl D. Clay. In Queen City on December 25, 1969, she married Rex W. Yates.

Lena is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Carolyn and Steven Albertson of Green City, MO; Linda and Michael "Butch" Sandstrom of Novinger, MO; Sheila Yates-Humphrey and Robert Humphrey of LaPlata, MO; one son, Randy D. Clay of Farmington, MO; four grandchildren, Ray and Gayla Sandstrom, Nathan and Jennifer Albertson, Rachel and Kent Fletcher, Shane and Allison Albertson; and five great grandchildren, Christopher Sandstrom, Casey Casady, Savanna Albertson, Samantha Albertson, and Caleb Albertson, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is also survived by two sisters, Dorothy and George Bell of Kirksville, MO, and Freda June Phelps of Mokane, MO, and a brother-in-law, Wayne Gregory.

She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, Roy, Marvin, and Melvin Partin, and two sisters, Retta McQueen and Lena's twin sister, Vena Gregory.

Lena became a Christian in her teenage years and was a member of the Faith United Methodist Church in Kirksville. She actively attended church until her health failed.

Lena had a happy childhood, enjoyed time spent with her large family, and always enjoyed being a twin. She derived great pleasure spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Lena lived and worked on a farm the first 18 years of marriage. She later worked at Hollister and Shamrock Motel. Lena was a Cardinal baseball fan, was involved with the Queen City Little League, and actively served with the Queen City Pioneer Association. She also cared for children in her home and loved making quilts and machine quilting them for her children and grandchildren and also for the public as long as her health permitted.

Public visitation will be held Wednesday, February 1, 2017, with family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, February 2, 2017, at Travis-Noe Funeral Home, with Pastor Sheila Swafford officiating. Interment will follow the service at Queen City Cemetery in Queen City, Missouri.

Pallbearers will be Robert Humphrey, Steven Albertson, Shane Albertson, Michael Sandstrom, Ray Sandstrom, and Christopher Sandstrom.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Lena Yates may be made to the Faith United Methodist Church of Kirksville, or to Hospice of Northeast Missouri. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.