Hester Ann (Barton) Yates of La Plata, Maryland died on Sunday December 8, 2019 at Sage Point Gardens Assisted Living in La Plata, MD. She was 94 years old. Born on May 17, 1925 in Queenstown, Maryland, she was the seventh child of the late Harry Thomas Barton, Sr. and Bessie Mattie Ewing Barton.

Ann was raised on Blackbeard's Farm overlooking the Chester River in Queenstown, a place that remained very dear to her. She learned a strong work ethic especially from delivering milk door-to- door every morning on a horse drawn wagon with her father from an early age. She graduated high school in 1943. There was no electricity to the farm.

In 1943 Ann went to Church Home Hospital and Nursing School in Baltimore, MD and graduated in 1946 as a Registered Nurse. She remained in Baltimore employed as a Visiting Nurse in the Nurse Corp until March 1949 at which time she accepted a position as Staff Nurse at Physicians Memorial Hospital in La Plata, MD.

On a blind date she met the love of her life, William "Bill" Leonard Yates, Sr. After a short courtship they were married on June 7, 1952. Ann stayed home to raise her three children from June 1953 to 1968. However, she worked part-time as a nurse on the night shift at the hospital.

In 1968 Ann was employed as a community health nurse at the Charles County Health Department in La Plata, Maryland. Ann was a very dedicated and compassionate nurse. She went above and beyond to help those in need on and off the job, even into her retirement days.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Bill; their daughter, Jeanne Elaine Yates; siblings George Leonard Barton, Bertha Louise Jones, Lee Ewing Barton, Harry Thompson Barton, Jr., Mary Virginia Messick, Martha Elizabeth "Betty" Quimby, and Samuel Irving Barton.

She is survived by her sister, Patricia Maud Barton Bongiovanni of Clover, South Carolina; daughter Maribeth Furbush (John); sons Bill Yates (Karen) and Bart Yates (Susan); grandchildren Brandi Furbush, Dana Harding (Brian), and Julia Reeder (Jarrell); great grandchildren, Karli Owens, Madison Owens, Samuel Harding, Rachel Harding and Porter Reeder. Also survived by several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends to include but not limited to those employed and residents of Sage Point Gardens in La Plata, Maryland, where she resided for the past seven and a half years until her passing.

Visitation on Wednesday, December 11, 2019 from 2PM to 4PM and from 6PM to 8PM at the Raymond Funeral Service, P.A. 5635 Washington Avenue, La Plata, MD 20646. Mass will be offered at 10AM Thursday, December 12, 2019 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 207 St. Mary's Avenue, La Plata, MD 20646. Interment to follow in the church cemetery. Memorial Contributions can be made to Sage Point Gardens Assisted Living, 123 Morris Drive, La Plata, MD 20646.