Rowdy Merle Eugene YATES

Rock Island, TN resident and Van Buren County, TN native "Rowdy" Merle Eugene Yates, age 70, was born May 13, 1941 and died December 6, 2011 at River Park Hospital following a five-month illness. A mechanic and member of the Church of Christ, he was the son of the late James Lee and Wilma Olene Templeton Yates. He was married July 4, 1970 to Charlotte Taylor Yates of Rock Island, TN. In addition to his wife, he is survived by seven children and their spouses, Lisa Mooneyham of Spencer, TN, Duane Yates, Tony and Paula Hillis and Tammy Lance all of Rock Island, TN, Lori and Joe Pancake of Murfreesboro, TN, Leslie and Ricky Jones of Fairview, TN and Terrenia and Gary Ashburn of McMinnville; sixteen grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Jimmy and Shirley Yates of Rock Island, TN and nephews and their spouses, Paul and Melissa Yates and Ricky and Nikki Yates both of Rock Island, TN and Michael and Shane Yates of Hawaii; Funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, December 9, 2011 in High's Chapel with Tim Fariss and Anthony Templeton officiating. Burial followed in the Mt. View Cemetery on Hwy 30.