Obituary of Grady W. Yates

Mr. Grady William Yates, age 86, of Mountain City and formerly of Vilas, passed away Saturday morning, June 22, 2013 at Johnson City Medical Center. Born September 15, 1926 in Watauga County he was a son of the late Bartella Dennis Yates and Molly Brown Yates. Grady was a member of Willowdale Baptist Church and a US Army Veteran of WWII. He was retired from Singer Furniture. Grady was an avid baseball fan, a beekeeper, gardener and grew Christmas trees. He is survived by one daughter; Jane Wilson and husband Tony of Mountain City, six grand children; Tammy Helm and husband Brian of Wilmington, Travis Church and wife April of Vilas, Kenneth Scott Church and wife Brenda of Creston, James Yates and wife Amy of Deep Gap, Michelle Dollar and husband Buddy of Sugar Grove and Debbie Yates of Vilas, five great grandchildren; Ryan and Dalton Church of Vilas, Calvin and Faith Dollar of Sugar Grove, and Dusty Parlier of Vilas, five sisters; Vertie Broyhill of Lenoir, Mary Moretz and husband Wade of Deep Gap, Betty Townsend and husband Earl and Susie Townsend and husband Denver all of Lenoir, and Martha Reece and husband Johnny of Boone, two brothers; Claude Yates of Boone and Tommy Yates and wife Earlene of Boone. He is also survived by his extended family, Darlene and Jimmy Hicks of Vilas, Shelia Fletcher of Gastonia, Brad and Shannon Hicks of Greensboro, and Nickie Eller and Kendra Gail Hicks both of Vilas, and a number of nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his son James Yates, two sisters; Flossie Broyhill and Ruth Hayes, and two wives; Ella Mae Yates and Louise Yates. Memorial services for Mr. Grady William Yates will be conducted Monday evening at 6 o'clock at Austin and Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be Rev. Eugene Braswell, Travis Church and James Yates. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Willowdale Baptist Church, 133 West Side Drive, Vilas, NC 28692. The family will receive friends Monday prior to the service from 5 o'clock until 6 o'clock at Austin and Barnes Funeral Home. Online condolences may be shared with the Yates family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin and Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Yates family.