Ruth Yvonne Yates, passed away in Centerville, Tennessee, on Saturday April 19, 2025. She was 93.

She was born April 30, 1931, in Franklin County, Tennessee, as the only child of Ethel Fanning Dodson. She lived her early childhood years on Greasy Hollow Road in Lincoln County, Tennessee, with her cousins, Bonnie and Betty, where they helped pick cotton on her Uncle Jay’s farm. She moved to Winchester, Tennessee, as a teen with her mom and Floyd Dodson, her stepfather, and graduated from Franklin County High School in 1951.

She married James (Nook) Yates in 1951 at a double wedding with best friends, Garland and Jerlene (Jinx) Engle. She was a dedicated homemaker while the Yates family moved around from Tennessee to North Carolina and back to Tennessee for Jim’s work in the 50’s and early 60’s. In 1961 they settled in Nashville when Jim took a job as cafeteria manager at the Ford Glass Plant.

In 1968 they moved to Ellenwood Drive in South Nashville, and after her youngest child Jimmy started school, she started her work career. From 1968 to 2016, Y.Y., as her friends called her, worked in hospitality and retail in Nashville at St. Clairs restaurant, Music City Rodeway Inn, Silver Wings restaurant, Dollar General Store, and Big Lots. She loved working and worked until age 85. Whether hosting family, friends or strangers, she radiated kindness and generosity and touched everyone that knew her. After retiring she started attending services at Tusculum Hills Baptist Church in Nashville and shopping.

In late 2016 she moved to Centerville, Tennessee, where she lived with her little dog Max in a house three doors down from Kenny (son), Natalie, Serenity, and James and attended Centerville United Methodist Church. She still loved shopping at the local stores and her weekly calls with friend Geneva.

She was preceded in death by her Mother Ethel, Husband Jim, and Daughter Debbie. She is survived by her two sons, Kenny (Natalie) and Jimmy (Lisa); five grandchildren, Kara (Bill), Luke (Kelsie), Rachel (John), Kelsey and Serenity; three great-grandchildren, Anthony, Michael and Jaelyn, and one great-great grandchild Callie Ann.

A Celebration of Life will be held on May 24, 2025, at 10:00 am at the Shipps Bend United Methodist Church at 995 Old State Route 50, Centerville, Tennessee, 37033. In lieu of flowers, please consider making an online gift in memory of Ruth Yvonne Yates to the Dementia Society of America www.DementiaSociety.org/donate.