Howard Miller Yates Jr.

1946 - 2025

Howard Miller Yates, Jr.

Born: May 10, 1946 | Died: September 12, 2025

Howard Miller Yates, Jr. (79), of Sevierville, TN passed away on September 12, 2025, in Knoxville, TN.

Howard was born on May 10,1946 in Chattanooga, TN to Howard Miller Yates, Sr, and Cletta Jordan Yates. Howard, and his sister Pamela, attended Chattanooga High School (City High) while living on Signal Mountain. Howard was an exceptional athlete and member of the track and cross-country teams at City High and Middle Tennessee State University where he and his teammates set a school relay record.

Howard married Wilma Allene Blackwood on August 26,1967 and remained married until her death on October 19, 2011. Howard graduated from MTSU in 1969 with a Business Management degree and rank of First Lt Army ROTC. He and Wilma moved to Germany in 1970 where he was stationed in the Army for two years. Howard and Wilma were the proud parents of two children, Anna (Coggin) and Kevin, and proud grandparents to their five grandchildren.

After serving in the Army, Howard began working for Allstate Insurance Company in Chattanooga as a claims adjuster before moving to Knoxville where he became an agent. He was very active in his community and in the lives of his family while coaching his children in tee ball, softball and soccer. In 1985 he moved his family and opened the first Sevier County office for Allstate Insurance in Pigeon Forge. Howard and Wilma enjoyed traveling on Allstate trips and developed many close friendships throughout his career with Allstate. Howard was an avid golfer, often playing weekly at the Gatlinburg Country Club. Howard and Wilma, along with other families, established the Great Smoky Mountains Church of Christ in Pigeon Forge in the early 1990's, where he participated in multiple leadership roles.

After Wilma's passing, Howard met and married the new love of his life, Christina Moore Gross, on December 8, 2012. His marriage to Tina was a blessing for both Howard and Tina as they had similar interests. They quickly became hiking and travel companions and Tina was instrumental in helping Howard complete his final sections of the Appalachian Trail in 2015 and all the trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at least three times. Together they visited 51 National parks during their very active years together.

Howard was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in the fall of 2021. Howard was preceded in death by his first wife Wilma as well as his parents, Howard Miller Yates, Sr, and Cletta Jordan Yates, stepson Kenny Gross and great step grandson, Trevor Gross. He is survived by his second wife, Christina Gross Yates; daughter and son-in-law, Anna and Mike Coggin; son and daughter-in-law, Kevin and Cari Yates; grandchildren Tyler and Riley Coggin; Kayle, Kendra and Christian Yates; sister and brother-in-law, Pam (Yates) and Rick Hensley; and nephew Nick Hensley; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Gerry and Jane Blackwood; five stepchildren, including Cindy Wills, Denny Gross, Eric Gross, Daniel Gross, Amanda Gross; twelve step grandchildren and five step-great-grandchildren.

Howard's outgoing personality and genuine interest in others left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him; whether co-workers at All State, golfing buddies, hiking companions, Gym Junkies friends, pickleball partners, or his beloved church family at the Great Smoky Mountain Church of Christ. He was a man of honor, known for keeping his word and living with integrity.

One of his favorite sayings was, "It is what it is," a simple reminder of his steady and grounded outlook. But more than anything, Howard's life reflected his favorite scripture, 1 Corinthians 13:13: "So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love." Faith guided his steps, hope gave him strength, and his love was reflected in the way he treated everyone he met. A special thank you goes to the care givers at Island Home Park Health & Rehab, the care givers at Caris Hospice Health and to his lifelong friends Roscoe and Becky Bell and dear friend Bill Smolnycki, all of whom made him comfortable and cared for throughout his illness.

The family will receive friends from 1-3 PM, Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Atchley Funeral Home, Sevierville with a Memorial Service to follow at 3 PM officiated by Minister Gary Davis. Family and friends will gather at 12:30 PM Monday, September 22, 2025, at East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery for a committal service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Alzheimer's Tennessee.

Online condolences may be made at www.atchleyfuneralhome.com.