January 5, 1941 – July 12, 2023
Elizabeth (Beth) M. Yates of Donalsonville, GA passed away July 12, 2023, at the age of 82.
She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother and friend to so many throughout her long and blessed life.
The Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, July 14, 2023 at Friendship United Methodist Church in Donalsonville with Reverend Nate Lehman officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm to 1:50 pm on Friday, July 14, 2023 at Friendship United Methodist in Donalsonville. A private interment will be at Pelham Cemetery with Scott Hartzog, Brinson Register, Jonathan Oravec, Benjamin Oravec, Tyler Dungan, and Keith Odom serving as active pallbearers. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.iveyfuneral.com.
Sparkles, stars, rainbows and waterfalls filled her heart. Beth was born on January 5th, 1941, the daughter of Virginia Faircloth and Travis Merritt residing in Perry Georgia, later moving to Camilla. She graduated college from Valdosta State and spent most of her life as a social worker for several southwest Georgia schools, a career she loved. She worked mainly in Donalsonville. She was a devoted and active Methodist member throughout her life. Her love for everyone she knew was always visible which was made apparent by receiving the Most Outstanding Person award for her work with troubled children.
Beth married Jimmie Noell and together she had her only child, James Lansden Noell aka Lance. Jimmie died at an early age. Beth later married Raymond Odom who had three darling children, Anita, Keith, and Celia. She loved them the moment she met them and was a kind and loving mother to them all their lives. Raymond passed away and left Beth once again widowed. However, the story doesn’t end there. Upon her death she leaves her everlasting love, her truly devoted husband Charles Yates.
Charles and Beth were high school sweethearts. Life lead them in different directions and they married others and raised fine families. In their later years they reconnected and fell in love once again. Beth was a true and loving woman who cheered for you, encouraged the best in you and believed in the good of everyone. She was a true and good Christian with unshakable faith in her Lord. She’s coming home.
Beth leaves her sons, Lance and Keith; daughter, Anita; granddaughters, Bailey Noell, Jessica Aldridge, Carmen Darden, Christine Odom, and Camille Odom; grandsons, Jonathan Oravec, Benjamin Oravec, and Vance Ledbetter; sisters, Gail Young, Susan Smith, and Peggy Chitty; brother, John Sheppard; and step-children, Libby Montgomery, Martha Jane Grossmann, and James Yates.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friendship Methodist Church, 201 E 3rd St, Donalsonville, GA 39845; Rejoice Run and Mom’s Mile, PO Box 4643, Donalsonville, GA, 39845; Seminole County Warpath on Cancer, 200 W 10th St, Donalsonville, GA 39845; or Georgia Hospice Care, 303 E Shotwell St, Bainbridge, GA, 39819.
The Yates family has entrusted the arrangements to Ivey Funeral Home, 502 S. Scott Street, Bainbridge, GA 39819.
When I get to heaven, I’ll sing.
