It is with tears of sadness and shouts of praise that we share the passing of Virginia Ward Yates on Monday June 15, 2026.

Virginia was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Andrew E Yates, her parents: Amos Lee Ward and Ethel Odessa Baird Ward, her grandparents: Stanley Baird, and Zenia Triplett Baird, William Ward and Rebecca Harmon Ward, her brother-in-law: Jim Greene, two nephews: Monty Greene, Johnny Greene, and one granddaughter-in-law: Mandy Ireland Ward of Winston Salem.

Those left to cherish her memory are her sister: Louise Green of Nashville, TN. Her children: Karen Young of Advance, NC. Mitchell (Trisha) Yates of Vilas, NC. Allen (Sharon) Yates, Angela Alexander of Trade, TN. Rebecca Yates and fiancé Randall Smith of Vilas, NC. Her Grandchildren: Jonathan (Stephanie) Yates, Jennifer (Todd) Stevens, Justin Ward and fiancé Amanda Stophel, Preston (Missy) Ward, Amanda (Todd) Delp, Megan Ellis, Jackson (Kaitlyn) Yates. Niece: Robin Rickards of Nashville, TN. Great grandchildren, Sam and Maggie Stevens, Paxton and Payton Ward, Allie Grace Yates, Kennedy and Mason Ellis, Aila and Aden Delp, Atlas, Merrit and Noble Yates. Her step grandchildren: Frank Minervini, Julie Stephens, Nick Minervini and her great-great granddaughter: Stella Stephens.

Virginia loved being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved being called Mama, Mamaw, Mrs. Virginia and Jennie (daddy's nickname for her).

Virginia accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Saviour while working in the garden at the age of 12. She was Baptized in September of 1947.She was the longest member of Bethany Baptist Church, having been a member since 1947. She loved teaching the ladies Sunday school class for many years. Around the house were many copies of the King James Version (only) that she read daily and took notes in the margins, including when the scripture was last taught or preached.

Our Sweet Mama loved working in her garden and flowers. She was not known to be slothful or to procrastinate. She was never ungrateful or wasteful of her many blessings from the Lord.

Virginia was a wife. Mama, and Mamaw to kids that were not her own, she demonstrated hundreds of acts of love in abiding in God's Doctrine to "love thy Neighbor as thy self" Virginia worked for a period of time at the Blue Ridge Shoe Factory. She then worked at the Valle Crucis cafeteria along with her mother and became the cafeteria manager when her mother retired and drove a school bus for the children of the (High Country) for 20 years which was her witness field. The lessons she taught to those kids were lessons of love, kindness and prayers, that they would come to know the Lord and have a personal relationship with him.

Our Family Bible was not only part of our bedtime routine but also where recorded events and important articles were safely kept.

Along with being remembered for her famous rolls, cinnamon buns and gingerbread cookies, she asked anyone reading this obituary to consider making Jesus their personal Lord and Savior.

Mama, we will commit to honoring your memory with your heart of love and acts of kindness. May we always follow in your guidance to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

We cannot wait to see you whole again. You walked your journey well, You fought the good fight and finished the race with grace. It is the benefit of your lineage that you loved Jesus with your whole heart, mind, soul, and spirit.

You gave your best to teach us to be successful as "Children Of The King".

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 PM on June 18, 2026, at Bethany Baptist Church in Banner Elk, NC with Reverend Gene Carver and Reverend Harvey Presnell officiating. A private burial will take place following the service in the Yates Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 12 PM until 2 PM prior to the service.

In Lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Yates Cemetery Fund ℅ Vanessa Rupard, 1078 Upper Crab Orchard Rd, Banner Elk, NC 28604 or Bethany Baptist Church ℅ Diane Hicks at 1989 Worley Rd, Banner Elk, NC.

The Family is at their respected homes and Mom's.