Lillian Belle (Welty) Satathite, the daughter of Willie (Rhodes) Welty and James W. Welty, was born on February 17, 1884, near Barksdale, on Cedar Creek in Texas. The Welty family moved to Socorro County, New Mexico, about 1900. There Lillian married William J. Satathite, a rancher, on January 18, 1906.

In 1911, the couple came to the Dysart Ranch in Glendale, Maricopa County, Arizona Territory.  They then moved to the Owenby Ranch in Oak Creek, Yavapai County (near Sedona) and to Peeples Valley in 1913, where they bought their first home. Her daughter describes her mother's life as a "rough but nice one."

Although Lillian’s mother had died when she was twelve years old and Lillian had little opportunity for education, she never quit working or learning. The Satathites had four children, including three sons, Thomas Marion, James Garfield “Jim” and Clayton W. of Yava, Arizona, and one daughter, Pearl Viola. Lillian also raised her grandson, William, who was Pearl’s son.

Lillian was very active in the Parent Teachers Association and the Community Center in Kirkland. She was a charter member of the Yavapai County Cowbelles and belonged to the women’s club in Kirkland, which was part of the national organization, the General Federation of Women's Clubs. For more than thirty years she was postmistress at Yava, receiving her appointment from President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, which is commemorated in a desk set sent to her by the president, which the family cherishes.

Lillian died in the Arizona Pioneers' Home, February 3, 1971, and was buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Prescott.  Her husband died February 24, 1952, and is also buried at Mountain View Cemetery.

Donor: Pearl Ethridge
Photo Located: PB-5B, F-77-169, I-1320
Updated: 08/20/2015, N. Freer