Gene Yates

Leila Eugenia Cutshall Yates passed peacefully on May 15th, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. She is now reunited with her beloved husband, Tommy, the love of her life—with whom she shared a remarkable marriage and an enduring love story that spanned more than five decades.

Gene was born on August 12, 1929, in Breckenridge, Texas, to Carl Richard Cutshall (“Poppy”) and Louise Blanche Bridges Cutshall (“Tunia”). Gene had a brother, Robert, who was two years younger. Gene was named after her maternal grandmother, Leila Bridges, but throughout her life she was known simply as Gene, a nickname derived from her middle name, Eugenia.

Gene grew up in a hardworking family. Her father operated an automobile repair garage. Her mother was an exceptionally talented seamstress who made many of Gene’s dresses, drum major uniforms, and special occasion attire. Gene was always impeccably dressed. She too was an exceptional seamstress.

In 1940, the family moved to Beaumont, where her father worked as a welder in a shipyard building vessels for the U.S. Navy. Gene attended school in the French School District. There she thrived in student life, serving on Youth Council, performing as a drum major, and attending dances in beautiful gowns lovingly made by her mother.

In 1947, Gene left Beaumont to attend Southwest Texas State Teachers College in San Marcos. As a freshman living at Wray House, she met Thomas (“Tommy”) Yates, a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran who had previously lived in the same dormitory. He stopped by one day to see who was living there when he met Gene. From that moment on, they were rarely apart.

While attending Southwest Texas State Teachers College, (now Texas State University), Gene distinguished herself as a leader. She served as Editor-in-Chief of “The University Star,” the university newspaper and led publication of the school yearbook, “The Pedagog.” She was also a proud member of Chi Omega and embraced campus life with enthusiasm, intelligence, and confidence.

After Tommy graduated and moved to Brownsville to manage a car dealership, he wrote often to Gene, telling her how much he missed her. In the fall of 1950, he asked her to marry him. Gene and Tommy were married on Easter Sunday, March 25, 1951, and began their life together in Brownsville.

In 1954, the family moved to Harlingen, where Tommy managed the Easterling-Van Tyne Pontiac-Buick car dealership. Together, Gene and Tommy built a large, lively, and deeply loving family, raising six children—four boys and two girls—while remaining devoted members of St. Anthony Catholic Church.

During the 1950s, Gene was active in the Junior Service League and loved participating in road rallies with Tommy. He drove, and she navigated—a partnership that often led them to victory. As their family grew, Gene worked for the Harlingen Tourist Bureau, where she wrote a weekly newspaper column. When the local economy shifted following the closure of Harlingen’s Air Force base, Gene and Tommy both began second careers in education.

Gene returned to her passion for journalism by teaching and advising students who produced Harlingen High School’s newspaper, The Cardinal, bringing her life full circle. As a teacher, she helped shape the lives and careers of countless students, inspiring many who later pursued successful careers in journalism, photography, and other creative professions. Together, Gene and Tommy spent twenty years teaching before retiring in 1988.

Retirement brought time for gardening, travel, grandchildren, and treasured family gatherings. The couple especially loved spending time at their cabin in Arroyo City, where family weekends included fishing, water skiing, and unforgettable Fourth of July celebrations. They traveled extensively throughout the United States, visited dear friends, enjoyed cruises, and attended reunions with Tommy’s former bomber squad.

Gene lost Tommy in 2006, just days after celebrating their 55th wedding anniversary. Though his passing left an enormous void, Gene continued to live with grace, independence, and joy.

She remained active with the Harlingen Arts and Heritage Museum, became a member of Chapter BY, PEO, forming lasting friendships. Gene continued her passion for gardening. She remained devoted to her faith at St. Anthony’s and often after 5:00 o’clock Saturday mass, Gene and her friends would get a quick bite to eat and then venture to the local gaming establishments to test their luck. She enjoyed traveling with family and friends with special trips to Las Vegas, the Caribbean, Costa Rica, New York, Virginia and Germany.

On April 30, 2016, Texas State University inducted Gene into the Fred W. Adams Hall of Fame for her contributions to student journalism. When asked about the recognition, she humbly remarked:

"I was terribly surprised because it was from a university I have not been to in a long, long time.”

Gene’s greatest legacy remains her family: Kelly Trolinger (Jim), T. Michael Yates (LeNann), Matthew Yates (Laura), Loretta Winsper (Bruce), Mark Yates (Nancy), and Gregory Yates (Dana); eleven grandchildren—Shannon Sparks (Sam), Bryan Yates (Mike), Kendra Clark (Owen), Sarah Wood (Caleb), Cameron Anderson (Nora), Dane Yates (Aarin-fiancé), Alec Winsper (Keri), Alanna Amorosso (Greg), Katy Phelps (Chris), Tommy Yates, and Carter Yates; along with eighteen great-grandchildren who continue to expand the family story she so lovingly helped create.

Gene is preceded in death by her husband Tommy (2006), her dad Carl (1976), her mother Blanche (1997), and her brother Robert (2003.)

A Mass celebrating Gene’s life will be held at St. Anthony Catholic Church, located at 1015 E. Van Buren Avenue, Harlingen, TX 78550, on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 10:00 am, burial will take place immediately afterwards (approximately 11:30 am) at the Mont Meta Cemetery in San Benito.

A visitation will be held at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home located at 1400 W. Business 77, San Benito, TX 78586, Phone: (956) 361-9192, on Wednesday, May 20th, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm, with the family being present at 5:00 pm. A rosary will be held at 7pm.

Gene’s grandsons will be her pallbearers.

Gene’s life was defined by faith, intellect, humor, resilience, devotion to family, and an extraordinary love story that never ended. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered. Gene requested that any donations in her honor or any memorials be made to St. Anthony’s Church or the Harlingen Heritage and Arts Museum.