Helen Yates (Granny), 90, of Center, passed away Saturday, August 17, 2024, in Center.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday, August 24, 2024, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home
in Center. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, August 25, 2024, at Watson & Sons Chapel.
Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.
Mrs. Yates was born August 5, 1934, in Center, to Terrell and Neoma Holt. She attended Center High School. She
married the love of her life, Jack Yates, on October 20, 1951, and was a loving housewife while raising their
beautiful family. Mrs. Yates enjoyed keeping her grandchildren, shopping garage sales, and watching soap
operas. She loved sweets and rarely turned one down. A family favorite was her 4-layer delight, and she always
made one side special for Luke without nuts. A family holiday tradition she was proud of was teaching her
granddaughter, Kim, how to make her dressing that involved a large dish pan, a full day’s work, and lots of
laughs. Now this family memory will live on. A special tradition they loved was taking their grandchildren on an
annual visit to Hope, Arkansas to attend the Watermelon Festival. She was a devoted member of Sardis
Pentecostal Church and loved the Lord. She enjoyed spending time with family and having visitors. She loved
watching the bird feeders out of her window and looking at fresh cut flowers. If you ever walked into her home,
you know she loved whatnots, especially roosters, but what stands out the most are the family pictures that fill
every room. 
She is survived by her children, Joyce and Verbon Hendricks, Billy and Janet Yates, and Terry and Linda Yates;
grandchildren, Kim and Jeff Cater, Luke and Carriston Hendricks, Samantha and Brant Ranft, Jeremy Yates, Bryan
and Jordan Hendricks, Steven and Dana Rader, Allison and Brandon Krepel, Amanda and Kris Kirby, Landon and
Rita Oliver, and Charla and Matt Warr; great grandchildren, Jackson, Jayden, and Jaylee Cater, Kyleigh and
Kayson Hendricks, Kale, Jaycee and Blakely Ranft, Brylee, Bailee, and Kalla Hendricks, Colton, Miles, and Lily
Krepel, Jaxon and Avery Rader, Macy and Luke Burns, Makayla and Kody Page, Mason Mayo, Jamie and Clay
Warr, Madison, Slade, and Sawyer Kirby, Kaylee, Brooklyn, and Lily Oliver; great great grandchildren, Chrisleigh
and Miles Burns, and Charlee Ann Page; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Carroll Yates and Jimmy and Billie
Yates.
Preceded in death by husband, Jack G. Yates; parents, Terrell Holt and Neoma Willoughby Holt; sister, Mildred
Jones; and brother-in-law, Charles Jones.
Pallbearers will be Luke Hendricks, Jeremy Yates, Brant Ranft, Jayden Cater, Jeff Cater, Jackson Cater, Kale
Ranft, and Kayson Hendricks. Honorary pallbearers will be Ronnie Jones, Glen Jones, Bobby Chandler, Terry
Allen, and Bobby Watson.
A special thanks to Eva Daniels and Marilyn Hogue for their unconditional love and care over the past three years.
Also, thank you to A Pineywoods Home Health, Bro. Jenkins, and the congregation at Sardis Pentecostal Church.
Online condolences & tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfuneralhome.com