Raymond Yeatts Obituary

Raymond A. Yeatts CHESAPEAKE - Raymond A. Yeatts, 86, devoted father and grandfather, lost his final battle Sept. 17, 2008, to cancer. He passed in the presence of his beloved children. Born July 6, 1922, in Danville, he was the youngest child of the late John Ellis and Sallie Walton Yeatts. As a World War II veteran, he participated in the D-Day invasion of Normandy Beach, Battle of the Bulge, Battle of Rhineland and the liberation of Buchenwald concentration camp. He was honored as a member of the 941st Artillery Battalion and reportedly was one of only 23 soldiers of that group listed on the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. Upon discharge, Raymond relocated to the Olive Branch section of Portsmouth. He served as president of the Olive Branch Pony League for several years during which they captured the 1963 state championship. He excelled professionally as Parts and Service manager for several Portsmouth area auto dealerships. While at McCready Motors, he served as president of Ford Motor Companies Eastern division. His achievements were recognized by both Ford and Chrysler as top Parts Manager Nationals in 1979, Raymond was also a published author while in his 70s. He penned "Battlefield of Life" for his grandchildren as they enjoyed hearing his tales of his service to our country. Raymond was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Crawford Yeatts, in 1992 and a great-granddaughter, Makayla. He is survived by his sister, Gladys McGee; six children, Garland Yeatts, Roger Totten and wife Jeanette, Charlie Yeatts and Terri Staples, Raynelle Ricks and husband David, Beth Harris and husband Cecil, Harry Lee Yeatts; 12 grandchildren, Garland Yeatts Jr., Adam Yeatts, Troy Yeatts, Clay and wife Cindy, Clinton Yeatts, Danny Totten, Michael Totten and wife Kim, Jason Oldfield and his fiancée Dana Modlin, David Ian Ricks, Kody Ricks, Stephanie Costa and Joey Costa; seven great-grandchildren including a special great-grandson, Michael Raymond Yeatts, born July 31, 2008. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in Pinecrest Baptist Church by the Rev. Tom Potter with burial in Horton Veteran Cemetery. Loving Funeral Home, Churchland Chapel, is handling the arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.lovingfuneralhome.com.

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Published by The Virginian-Pilot on Sep. 18, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Raymond Yeatts

8 Entries

Patty (Cook) Myles

September 19, 2008

To Raymond's Family:
I am so sorry for your loss. May the love of God, and the strength of your family and friends comfort you through your sadness and grief.
In His Love,

Dana Metcalf

September 19, 2008

Hi everyone
I want to thank you all for the kindness you showed me while I was there to help your dad. He was a magnificent and loving man and I feel honored to have met you all. I wish I had more time with him but I do feel as though I came away a little piece of each of you. I hope you all will stay close and enjoy the love that keeps families together. I'll be thinking of you.

Mitzie Ricks

September 19, 2008

Raynelle,
I pray that the Lord will give you the peace that only He can give as you make these final arrangements. I didn't know you dad, but by the notes in the guest book, he must have been quite special. What a silly thing to say, with a daughter like you I should have known that. Hang in there girl.

Lili Valentine

September 19, 2008

Raynelle - you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. How blessed your daddy was to be surround by love as he took his last breath. He suffers no more and will now be there to call upon as your guardian angel.

AFTERGLOW

I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one.
I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles when the day is gone.
I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,
Of happy times, and laughing times, and bright sunny days.
I'd like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the sun,
Of happy memories I leave when life is done.
-author unknown-

Pat Minter

September 18, 2008

RIP RAYMOND. I'm so happy the Battlefields of Life was written so my brother Harry could meet his brother Garland. My deepest sympathies to Garland and family.

Donna Sparks

September 18, 2008

I cannot explain the joy that I have gotten out of my friendship with Ray. I was blessed to be asked by Ray to help with the writing of his book, and it was a life changing experience that opened my eyes to the plight of veterans everywhere. I became a better person through what I learned from working on his book, and what I learned through talking with him. He gave me great advice and always made sure I knew how much our friendship meant to him. One of my grandfathers passed away before I was born, and the other passed away when I was a very young child. Though I know my grandfathers can never be replaced, Ray became like a substitute grandfather to me. He was an amazing man, a treasured friend, and certainly a devoted father and grandfather. I will keep you all in my prayers.

Jody Chappelle

September 18, 2008

May God continue to Bless you and your family. I am so very fortunate to have received a copy of Mr. Yeatts', "Battlefield of Life", thank you Raynelle!

Jeffrey A. Costa

September 18, 2008

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

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