Obituary of Deborah Francine Yates

Deborah Francine 'Debbie' Yates, age 47, of Charlie Thompson Road, Vilas, passed away Tuesday, January 11, 2022 at Watauga Medical Center. Born April 23, 1974 in Watauga County, she was a daughter of Jim and June Yates. Debbie was a life-long member of Westside Baptist Church. She attended Cove Creek Elementary School and was a graduate of Watauga High School. Debbie loved every creation of God from sunrises to birds and bunny rabbits and especially her fur babies and birds. But above all, she loved the Lord and her family and friends. She was never blessed with a child of her own, but was always ready to help raise many children. Her favorite activities were visiting the managers and employees at the Food Lion Grocery Store in Boone and swimming in her favorite pool. She absolutely loved Mickey Mouse. She was so excited about the possibility of visiting Disney World this spring, but instead, she will spend her spring with Jesus. In addition to her parents, Debbie was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Ed and Blanche Jones; paternal grandparents, Grady and Margret Yates; God nannie, Marybell Tunnell; and a number of special aunts and uncles. She is survived by he sister, Shellie Dollars and husband, Buddy, of Sugar Grove; brother, Jamie Yates and wife Amy of Fleetwood and their children, Carson, Erica Jessica and Samantha and grandchildren; her God sister, Cindy Potter and husband, John of Sugar Grove; God parents, Gerald and Betty Marshall of Sugar Grove; niece, Faith Dollars of Sugar Grove; nephews, Dustin Parlier of Charlotte and Calvin Dollars of Sugar Grove; God niece, Lacey Potter of Sugar Grove and God nephews, Zachary Hicks of Baltimore, MD and John Potter of Sugar Grove; special friend, Rheannon Mecimore of South Carolina; aunts, Ruth Phillips of North Wilkesboro, Jane Wilson of Tennessee and Bronda Jones of Lenoir; Uncle, Burl Jones and wife, Wanda, of Marion; God child, Deana Isaacs; and a host of special cousins, neighbors and and very special friends, Doug and Joan Price. Funeral services for Debbie will be conducted Friday afternoon, January l4, 2022 at 2 o'clock at Westside Baptist Church, officiated by Pastor David Ward, Rev. Travis Church and Rev. Burl Jones. The family will receive friends Friday from 1 until 2 o'clock, prior to services, at the church. Graveside services will follow in the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Debbie loved bright colors, so to honor her, you are encouraged to wear anything bright to let her color shine. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Austin & Barnes to assist the family with final expenses. Online condolences may be shared at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Yates family.