Dr. Donald Lee Yates, the son of the late Deacon Robert L. and Mother Maggie Bumpers Yates was born April 21, 1952 in Mobile, AL. On February 14, 2021, he quietly and peacefully entered into eternal rest in Roanoke, VA. Dr. Yates was one of 10 children which included 2 sisters and 7 brothers, including his twin, the Reverend Dr. Ronald L. Yates. He accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at the El Bethel Primitive Baptist Church, where his Grandfather, Deacon Jesse Yates and his father, Deacon Robert Yates served as Deacons. His Grandmother, Lottie Yates and his Mother, Maggie Yates were Mothers of the Church; and his brother, the Reverend Dr. Jonathan L. Yates, now serves as Pastor. He was a 1969 Honors graduate of Central High School. In 1973, he earned a B.A. in Sociology, with Honors, from Bishop College, Dallas, TX. In 1975, he earned a M.A. in Sociology from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. In 1978, he earned a M.S. in Criminal Justice from the University of Texas at Tyler, TX. In 1984, he earned a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Texas, Austin, TX. He was also a proud member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Dr. Yates was preceded in death by his parents, Deacon Robert L. and Mother Maggie B. Yates, Sr.; his grandparents: Deacon Jesse and Mother Lottie Yates, and Brother Leander and Sister Gracie Bumpers; his brothers: Brother Robert L. Yates, Jr., Elder Dr. Bernard C. Yates, and Brother Alvin J. Allen; and his nephew, Brother Kenneth L. Yates. Dr. Yates leaves to cherish his memory and celebrate his life: two sisters: Mary Yates (James) Mack of Daphne, AL, and Juanita Yates of Washington, DC; four brothers: the Reverend Dr. Orlando B. (Margie) Yates of Cincinnati, OH; his twin, the Reverend Dr. Ronald L. (Dr. Ruby) Yates of Grayson, GA; the Reverend Dr. Jonathan L. (Doris) Yates of Mobile, AL; and the Reverend Dr. Maynard G. (Lessie) Yates of Dallas, TX; one sister-in-law, Lady Vonda E. Yates of Cantonment, FL.; 14 nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends friends. A visitation will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2021 from 9:00 am until the 12:00 pm funeral hour at El Bethel Primitive Baptist Church, 1200 Gayle Street, Mobile, AL. Dr. Yates will be laid to rest in Gethsemane Cemetery, 800 Mobile St, Mobile, AL 36617.
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