Mrs. Audrey Mae Yates, 94, passed away Wednesday June 15, 2016 at the Life Care Center of Sparta. She was born in Van Buren County on November 10, 1921 to Simon and Lizzie Mae Sparkman Hodges who preceded her in death along with her husband, Johnnie Rayborn Yates; infant son, Johnnie Ray Yates; brothers, Raymond, Herman, Roy, Thurman and Charlie Hodges.
She was a member of Spencer First Baptist Church and Spencer FCE Club. She was an avid gardner and considered all her friends special to her. She was a factory supervisor and retired from Cole Apparel. She worked for 10 years for the Van Buren County School System at the High School cafeteria. Mrs. Yates’ home was always open to her family, friends and neighbors making everyone feel welcome.
She is survived by her son, Larry Yates, Spencer; daughters, Shirley (Jackie) Haley and Joan (Marshall) Wilson of Sparta; sister, Alene Measles; grandchildren, Sharon Wilson, Michael (Susan) Wilson, Jennifer (Marshall) Gilliam and Julia (Traye) Cope; great grandchildren, Saylem Powell, Savannah Quick, Ashley Gilliam, Madison Cope, Ireland Moore, Brianna and Caleb Wilson; several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Sunday in the funeral home chapel with Minister Nathan Haynes officiating with burial to follow in the Hodges Cemetery at Cummingsville. Visitation: 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM Saturday at Layne Funeral Home, Spencer, Tennessee. www.laynefuneralhome.com
In Lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Hodges Cemetery Fund.
In Care of Teresa Sullivan, 945 Lemont Yates Mountain Road, Spencer, TN 38585
