Rev. James F. Yates

1926 - 2012

Rev. James F. Yates, Sr.

Yazoo City

Rev, James Foster (Jim) Yates, Sr., age 85, died peacefully Monday morning, March 5, 2012, at King's Daughters Hospital in Yazoo City. Reverend Yates, a Yazoo City resident since 1961, was Pastor of Yazoo City's First Baptist Church from 1961 until his retirement in 1991. He was named Pastor Emeritus of the church in 1992. He came to Yazoo City from First Baptist Church, Paragould, Arkansas, and had served a previous pastorate at Brownville Baptist Church, Brownville, Tennessee.

Reverend Yates was born December 5, 1926 in Greenville., Kentucky. He was the youngest of six children born to John Cody Yates, Sr. and Nanny Ethridge Pendley Yates. He graduated from Calhoun High School, Calhoun, Kentucky, and went on to attend Campbellsville (Kentucky) Jr. College, Centre College In Danville, Kentucky, and graduated from Union University, Jackson, Tennessee, with a B.A. degree.

He was a graduate of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky, where. he attended the School of Church Music prior to earning his Master of Divinity degree.

In 1955 he was married to Joy Wirotzious of Memphis, Tennessee.

Reverend Yates served his community in numerous ways throughout his long tenure as a local pastor and in his retirement years. Some of these included President of the Yazoo City Ministerial Association; President of the Yazoo City Rotary Club where he was named a Paul Harris Fellow; General Chairman of Parents of Public Schools; President of the School Board, Yazoo City Municipal School District; MAPP CoaIition member and service on the Board of Ditector's, Yazoo County Chamber of Commerce; United Givers of Yazoo County; Board of Directors, Yazoo Arts Council, and other civic and community organization.

His outstanding service to these, and other community endeavors, earned him numerous awards and accolades which he humbly accepted, He was especially proud to be named "'Yazoo County's Most Admired Citizen," "Citizen of the Year" and to be given the "Spirit of Yazoo Award" by his fellow citizens.

Reverend Yates served his denomination as Moderator of the Yazoo County Baptist Association; member of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board and member of the Executive Committee, and later President of the Convention Board. He was a member of the Board of Trustees, a member of the Executive Committee and secretary of the Board, Mississippi Baptist Medical Center. He was a member of the Board of Trustees, William Carey University, Hattiesburg. He served two terms as President of the Mississippi Baptist Convention. He served on various committees In the Southern Baptist Convention and was a member of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee. He also served in various offices and supported the work of Cooperative Baptist Fellowship on the state and national levels.

Following his retirement from First Baptist Church in Yazoo City, Reverend Yates was called as interim pastor, and in some eases to serve as a full-time pastor in Mississippi churches. These included First Baptist Church, Indianola; First Baptist Church, Rolling Fork; First Baptist Church, Flora; Oakhurst Baptist Church, Clarksdale; First Baptist Church, Starkville; Concord Bapist Church, Yazoo County; and Delta Baptist Church, Yazoo City.

A seasoned traveler, Reverend Yates made numerous trips around the world to visit missionaries, preach revivals, attend conferences, and to participate in crusades.

He also served as a tour director and organized and led tour groups to many places in the United States and all over the world.

A man of many interests, he enjoyed gardening, yard work, bee keeping, music and theater, and sports, especially his Kentucky Wildcats!

Rev. Yates was preceded in death by his parents in Utica, Kentucky; his brothers, Robert Yates, Marion Yates, J. C. Yates, Jr., and a sister, Vernia Bradley. He is survived by one sister Evelyn (Gibson) DeLacey of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. He is also survived by his wife of 56 years, Joy Yates of Yazoo City; a daughter, Carol Joy (Tommy) Sparkman of Clinton, MS; sons, John (Patty) Yates of Enterprise, Alabama; James Foster (Jim) Yates, Jr. and his wife Paula of Starkville, MS; and Jeff (Suzy) Yates of Universal City, Texas. He is also survived by four grandsons, Hunter Sparkman of Nashville, TN; Cody Sparkman of Clinton; Foster Yates and Jon Paul Yates of Starkville.

Visitation for Reverend Yates will be held Wednesday, March 7, 2012, 1:00 until funeral time at 3:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery under the direction of Stricklin-King Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to 1st Baptist Church, P.O. Box 780, Yazoo City, MS 39194 or charity of your choice or to the Music Department, Mississippi College, Clinton.

Thee family wishes to thank Dr. Marion Sigrest, the caregivers of Mississippi Home Health, and the staff of King;s Daughters Hospital for their loving care of Mr. Yates.