Randolph Yokley Wyatt

Randolph Yokley Wyatt was the middle child of Robert Yokley and Fannie Joyce Yokley. She was born in Columbia, TN. At a very early age, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at St. Paul AME Church. Randolph was educated in the Maury County public school system and was a 1954 graduate of Carver-Smith High School.

She continued her education by attending Tennessee State University in Nashville where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in business education in 1958. Later that year at the age of 21, she started teaching at her alma mater, Carver-Smith High School. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she coached the girls' basketball team where she led them to a state tournament. She also sponsored the student council and advised the yearbook staff. When the school system became integrated in 1969, she transferred to Columbia Central High School teaching typing, general business, shorthand, and business law. Randolph served as an advisor to the Future Business Leaders of America. She impacted lives as an educator for 41 years.

In 1965, she married her knight in shining armor Willie Coleman Wyatt and to this union Rhonda Inez (deceased), Kimberly Rochelle, and William Coleman were born. Family was of the utmost importance to her. She was a devoted daughter, wife, and mother that never missed an opportunity to be present in the lives of those around her. She was known to be a great cook, and in her spare time enjoyed planting beautiful flowers all around the yard. Her sense of style was always on display whether shopping for jazzy outfits or decorating the house to make it home. She was an active member of the St. Paul AME Church where she attended for all of her life and served on the King's Daughters Board.

Sports fandom brought Randolph joy. With baseball, her love for the Dodgers started at an early age when the family gathered around the radio to listen to Jackie Robinson play. From there, her and her mother shared a love for the Brooklyn then Los Angeles Dodgers. She would also adopt the Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Lakers, and in recent years, the Golden State Warriors. She was also known to wake up at 4 am to watch Serena play tennis in the Australian Open.

She loved her life and cherished every minute of it. Early Tuesday morning on February 6, 2024, she peacefully left her earthly home. She was preceded in death by her husband Willie, daughter Rhonda, parents Robert and Fannie Yokely, and brothers Robert (Billy) Yokley and Charles Yokley.

She leaves to celebrate her life and cherish her memory two children, Kimberly (Mitchell) Ryan and William (Ebony); four grandchildren that were her pride and joy, Cannon Wyatt, Mason Ryan, Coleman Wyatt, and Camille Wyatt; sister-in-law Beverly Yokley; nieces Vanessa Scott, Tabitha (Jeremiah) Satterfield, Delight Yokley; nephews David (Laura) Newberry-Yokley and Charles Yokley; great and great-great nieces and nephews; and cousins too numerous to name here, but are not forgotten. We will all miss her but know that her spirit will always be with us. Her sweet nature, loving warmth, and tough spirit will always be cherished.

Services are being handled by VK Ryan and Son Funeral Home of Columbia, TN.

Visitation for Randolph Wyatt will be held on Wednesday, February 14 from 5 pm to 7 pm at St. Paul AME Church in Columbia, TN.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 15 at St. Paul AME Church in Columbia, TN with visitation starting at 11:00 am and service starting at 12:00 pm.