Robert Alan Yeatts Sr.

1958 - 2022

Robert Alan Yeatts Sr.

April 2, 1958 - July 2, 2022

Robert Alan Yeatts Sr., 64, peacefully passed to his eternal home on Saturday, July 2, 2022 at his home, surrounded and comforted by his wife, children, and grandchildren.

Born on April 2, 1958, the third of four children to the late James David Yeatts Sr., and the late Jerleen Sigmon Yeatts, he was reared in a large extended family in the tight knit community of Dry Fork. He grew up as a member of Hopewell United Methodist Church, graduated from Chatham High School in 1976, and completed a drafting and design program at DCC. In 1983 he joined his father and brother David Yeatts in what at the time was a small but expanding family business. That business would eventually become his lifelong profession and livelihood. His business ventures included JD Yeatts & Son, Inc., Chesapeake Bay Ltd., and Blackwater Trading Company, among others. His business partners throughout the years included his brother David Yeatts, followed by his brother-in-law Mark Gatewood. Together they relocated their warehouse business from Dry Fork to Blairs, then to the Tobacco Warehouse District in Downtown Danville. The award winning renovation of their 680 Lynn Street warehouse was one of the first in the district. As they continued to expand, they moved their warehouse, shipping, and receiving location to Industrial Avenue in downtown Danville, where it remains, shipping to retail establishments across the country and abroad, with showrooms in Atlanta, Chicago, and internationally. The family business has provided jobs and careers to numerous local employees and nationally based salespeople, and has provided many family members their first jobs and current careers.

On August 6, 1983, Robbie married his lifelong love, Janet, to whom he was married for 38 years, and began his role as stepfather to two daughters, Erin and Emily, a role he took to heart and performed to his utmost ability for the remainder of his life. He and Janet had three more children over the next seven years, Rob Jr., Mary Katherine, and Maggie, and he would eventually become a proud Pawpaw to 13 grandchildren. He was the epitome of a family man. He always gave of himself so freely to others, giving generously to his family and always putting his loved ones above himself. His family marvels that in 38 years he never missed a birth, graduation, birthday party, ball game, or dance recital, and there were many.

Robbie was an active member of Mount Hermon Baptist Church. He was longtime member of Tuscarora Country Club, where he was an avid golfer and member of a weekly scramble group, with which he played three days a week. His golf buddies were faithful friends who supported him throughout his good times and throughout his illness.

He gave meaning to the phrase "work hard, play hard." When not at work, he could be found with his toes in the sand at his Myrtle Beach home, perfecting his swing on the green, riding his Harley Davidson, or cruising in Lola, his red Corvette. He loved listening to music, going to concerts, had an impressive vinyl album collection, and was even known to strum a few chords on his acoustic guitar. He had the most infectious belly laugh and could tell a heck of a story. He was a great entertainer, from mastering the grill at family gatherings to drawing lines of trick-or-treaters to experience his over-the-top Halloween decorations. He was a lot of fun to be around and had many great and loyal friends. His goal was always to help everyone else have a great time. He loved to travel anywhere tropical or with a golf course, and was known to host epic family vacations. During his final Christmas season, he took his entire family on vacation to Disney World, he rang in the New Year in Nashville, and vacationed in Aruba with friends before learning of his stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis on March 14.

Despite his diagnosis, he lived life as fully as possible. On April 10, he fulfilled a long time wish when he flew to Augusta National with two of his best friends to watch the final day of the Masters Tournament. He spent his final weeks with his friends and family, telling people how much they meant to him and bestowing words of wisdom to loved ones. One of his final messages was to tell people you love them. He said not to wait to tell loved ones how much they mean to you and how much you love them, because you never know how long you will have in this life.

Robbie was predeceased by his parents, James David and Jerleen Sigmon Yeatts; his brother, James David Yeatts Jr.; a grandson, Phillip Alan Wright; a niece, Rebecca Ann Phillips; and brother-in-law, Mark Gatewood. He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Janet Overby Yeatts; son, Robert Yeatts and Ima O'Dell; daughter, Erin Thackston and husband, Mark Thackston, daughter, Emily Wright and JR Atkinson, daughter, Mary Katherine Reese and Zachary Francisco, and daughter, Maggie Lucas and husband, Alston Lucas; and grandchildren, Andrew Coles, Courtland Thackston, Carrington Thackston, Isabella Yeatts, Robert Yeatts III, Edwin Yeatts, Sophie Yeatts, Charleigh Reese, Greer Reese, Evans Francisco, Maddox Lucas, and Hampton Lucas. He is also survived by sister, Melissa Gatewood, sister and brother-in-law, Jerri Lynn and Bobby Phillips, sister-in-law, Carol Yeatts, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

On the night of his passing, a fireworks display boomed overhead, illuminating the night sky in array of colors as nearby children cheered in delight. It was a fitting backdrop as he was freed of his illness and suffering and welcomed into his eternal resting place. We would like to imagine that he was restored to perfect health, was reunited with his loved ones, and he has found a golf course by the beach, where the weather is always nice, the drinks are always cold, they are always playing his favorite songs, and every swing lands a hole in one.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 11 a.m. at Mount Hermon Baptist Church in Danville with Pastor Steve Chromy and Pastor Mike Hearp officiating. Interment will follow at Highland Burial Park. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 6, 2022 from 6 until 8 p.m. at Mount Hermon Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Danville-Pittsylvania Cancer Association at 223 Riverview Drive, Suite J, Danville, VA 24541 or to the local charity of your choice. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the many friends who have cared for and supported Robbie and the family during his illness.

Norris Funeral Services

3995 Franklin Turnpike, Danville, VA 24540