Doris Elizabeth Yates

Doris Elizabeth Phillips Yates, 83, of Beaufort and formerly of Kannapolis, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, October 17, 2012.

The family will receive friends prior to the funeral service from 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Saturday at Lady's Funeral Home. Her funeral service will be at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, October 20, 2012, at Lady's Funeral Home Chapel in Kannapolis. The Rev. Carroll Bradbury will officiate. Interment will follow at Carolina Memorial Park.

Mrs. Yates was born on December 28, 1928 in Kannapolis, NC to the late Edgar and Helen Phillips. She was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She was married to the Rev. J.C. �Jody� Yates, an ordained Free Will Baptist pastor, and she was an active partner of his ministry for over 50 years. They served several churches in the western part of the state prior to moving to eastern North Carolina. She supported his calling and ministry at Saratoga Free Will Baptist Church in Saratoga, St. Mary's Free Will Baptist Church in Kenly and Holly Springs Free Will Baptist Church in Newport. Mrs. Yates had a servant�s heart and lived to serve and love others, especially her church families. Doris greatly enjoyed fishing, food and fellowship with others.

Mrs. Yates is survived by her sister Dorothy �Dot� and her husband James �J.W.� Ragan; her three sons, Danny Yates and his wife Lisa, Donnie Yates and his fiancé Carolyn, Dennis Yates and his wife, Pat; a brother-in-law, Ray Yates; a special family member, Barbara Yates; nine grandchildren, Kevin Yates and his wife Leslie, Kelly Yates Sokolowski and her husband Kurt, Donnie Yates, Jr. and his wife, Julie, Leah Yates Fulkerson and her husband Will, Elizabeth Yates, Meredith Yates, Stacy Yates, Jody Yates and Brittany Yates; and ten great-grandchildren. She also dearly loved her special niece and nephews.

In addition to her parents and grandparents, Mrs. Yates was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. J.C. �Jody� Yates; her brother, Don Phillips; and nephew, Eddie Dean Phillips.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Yates Family Life Center, c/o Saratoga Free Will Baptist Church, PO Box 196, Saratoga, NC 27873.