Dorothy Cornelia Yates' Obituary
Dorothy Cornelia Yates passed away at her daughter’s home in Stockton, California on August 15, 2015, after a lengthy illness. Born in Pittsylvania County Virginia, on November 23, 1942, she was the seventh child of twelve born to the late Raymond James, Sr., and Mattie Lou McLaughlin Thomas. Dorothy grew up on a farm in Ringgold, Virginia. She accepted Christ at Bethel Baptist Church in Danville, Virginia and remained a Baptist throughout her life. She graduated from Southside High School in Blairs, Virginia before moving to and beginning a career in retail in Jamaica, New York. Dorothy also had wonderful memories of her parents taking her and her siblings to the fair. She was married to the late Clarence Yates, Sr. on July 7, 1965, and Deadrin Pamela and Clarence Elwood, Jr. are the children of this beautiful union. Clarence and Dorothy spent the early years of their marriage in Rochester, New York before Clarence accepted an executive position in San Franciso. Dorothy was an outstanding insurance agent for Farmers Insurance for over 25 years. Her professionalism and dedication earned her the coveted Blue Vase award which is presented to a select group of Farmers Insurance Agency Owners who demonstrate exceptional service and sales in the area of life insurance. In a time when most companies prefer to do business via email, Dorothy maintained a personal relationship with her customers by speaking to them directly whenever they needed assistance. It is for this reason, many of her customers considered her to be a friend and often checked on her to see how she was doing. Dorothy also arranged a blind date for one of her customers, which resulted in uniting her daughter, Deadrin, in marriage to her husband, Level. It is no secret that her greatest joy was her grandchildren, Chanel, Anthony, Camryn, Briana, Jonathan and Maya. She was predeceased by her parents; husband, Clarence; her sisters Jealier Fitzgerald and Jane Thomas. She is survived by her sisters, Virginia McCain of Danville, Virginia, Bernice Watson, and Audrey Green (Samuel) both of Rochester, New York, Barbara Jeffries (Jeremiah) of Milton, North Carolina, and Jeanette Thomas of Jamaica, New York: brothers, Raymond, Jr., Eugene, Lawrence (Judy), and Wade Leon, all of Danville, Virginia; a special fondness for her daughter in law, Sherry Yates; and her son in law, Level Peyton. She also leaves a host of relatives and close friends. Friends are invited to attend the visitation on Wednesday, August 19, 2015 beginning at 5:00PM-9:00PM in the Reflection Chapel at Chapel of the Chimes Memorial Park and Funeral Home 32992 Mission Blvd. Hayward, CA. 94544. A Funeral Service will commence on Thirsday, August 20, 2015 beginning at 10:00Am. Burial to follow at Chapel of the Chimes.
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