Obituary for Dr. Donald Lee Yates
Donald Lee Yates, the son of the late Deacon Robert L. and Mother Maggie Bumpers Yates was born April 21, 1952 in Mobile, AL. On February 14, 2021, he quietly and peacefully entered into eternal rest in Roanoke, VA.
Dr. Yates was one of 10 children which included 2 sisters and 7 brothers, including his twin, the Reverend Dr. Ronald L. Yates. He accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at the El Bethel Primitive Baptist Church, where his Grandfather, Deacon Jesse Yates and his father, Deacon Robert Yates served as Deacons. His Grandmother, Lottie Yates and his Mother, Maggie Yates were Mothers of the Church; and his brother, the Reverend Dr. Jonathan L. Yates, now serves as Pastor. As a youth, he was very active in Sunday School, Baptist Training Union, Choir, Usher Board, Young Ambassadors for Christ and numerous other organizations of the church.
Among Dr. Yates’ major passions in life was his passion to learn:
He was a 1969 Honors graduate of Central High School, where he played Clarinet in the Marching and Concert Bands.
In 1973, he earned a B.A. in Sociology (with Honors) from Bishop College, Dallas, TX. While at Bishop, he was elected President of the Student Senate, Alpha Kappa Mu National Honor Society, and Who’s Who among Students at Colleges and Universities.
In 1975, he earned a M.A. in Sociology from Indiana University, Bloomington, IN.
In 1978, he earned a M.S. in Criminal Justice from the University of Texas at Tyler, TX.
In 1984, he earned a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Texas, Austin, TX.
Dr. Yates’ noted vigorous pursuit of learning prepared him for his passion
to teach.
For the past four decades, Dr. Yates has taught Sociology-and-Criminal Justice-related courses to students in colleges and universities throughout the country, including institutions of higher learning in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, North Carolina, Michigan, and Oklahoma. Upon taken ill, Dr. Yates was doing what he loved – Teaching – at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, VA.
Dr. Yates was a prominent author and has written and published more than 60 research studies, papers, reports and articles that have appeared in academic journals, including the American Journal of Criminal Justice, Social Science Journal and Police Studies, Policing and Society. And he has been invited to present his research and findings at countless Academic Meetings and Forums throughout the country. His major books include:
“A Life Committed to Its Intended Anchorage and Soar: the Harmony between Spiritual Principles and Sound Science,” published in 2011.
“Social Scientific Research and Scholarship Joined with Universal Spiritual Truth –Principles in Explaining Donald Trump’s Candidacy and the Voters and Others in His Cohort Who Support Him,” published in 2017.
Dr. Yates was an active member of numerous academic, civic and social organizations, receiving countless recognitions and awards. He was also a proud member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
Following the teachings and legacy of his parents, wherever his call to teach led him, Dr. Yates always sought out, joined and became active in a church where he could worship God. And because of his passion to learn, he also joined, and became equally active in Sunday School classes.
As instilled into all of the children by their parents, Deacon and Mother Maggie Yates, Dr. Yates’ ultimate passion was the love of family, and his family passionately loved him in return. The Apostle Paul wrote in the 13th Chapter of Corinthians that of all the gifts a person might have through the work of God’s Spirit, none is greater than love.
Dr. Yates was preceded in death by his parents, Deacon Robert L. and Mother Maggie B. Yates, Sr.; his grandparents: Deacon Jesse and Mother Lottie Yates, and Brother Leander and Sister Gracie Bumpers; his brothers: Brother Robert L. Yates, Jr., Elder Dr. Bernard C. Yates, and Brother Alvin J. Allen; and his nephew, Brother Kenneth L. Yates.
Dr. Yates leaves to cherish his memory and celebrate his life: two sisters: Mary Yates (James) Mack of Daphne, AL, and Juanita Yates of Washington, DC; four brothers: the Reverend Dr. Orlando B. (Margie) Yates of Cincinnati, OH; his twin, the Reverend Dr. Ronald L. (Dr. Ruby) Yates of Grayson, GA; the Reverend Dr. Jonathan L. (Doris) Yates of Mobile, AL; and the Reverend Dr. Maynard G. (Lessie) Yates of Dallas, TX; one sister-in-law, Lady Vonda E. Yates of Cantonment, FL.; 14 nieces and nephews: Dr. Myria Mack (Olin) Knox; Jonathan L. (Priscille) Yates, Jr.; Dr. Titania Mack (Lawrence, II) Parker; Jeremy Yates; and Godson, the Reverend DeSean (Tanesha) Yates; Durand (Alicia) Yates; the Reverend Marcus (Dr. Naomi) Yates; the Reverend Michael Yates; Minister Leslie D. Yates; Maynard (Marquita) Yates, II; Judson Yates; the Reverend Stephen Yates; the Reverend Reginald (Kendra) Yates; and LaBrea Yates (Rickey) Duffy; 18 great nieces and nephews: Aaliyah, Lesley, Leah, Kyra, Lawrence, III, Durand, Jr., Noel, Liam, Kaylee, Mariah, Canaan, Reginald, II, Ricayden, Rikeylon, Aniyah, Yosiah, Jianna Belle and Rikylan; four aunts: Saloma Lawson, Daisy Green, Creaola Smith and Wilda Wyatt; one uncle: William (Janet) Bumpers; one adopted sister: Carolyn Tucker; three adopted brothers: Thaddeus Harris, Carl (Tony) Carter, and the Reverend Victor Broadenax; God sister: Ella Jean Shamburger; family friends: Gertha Bush and Joan Sargent Bell, and a host of other relatives and friends.
Dr. Yates was one of 10 children which included 2 sisters and 7 brothers, including his twin, the Reverend Dr. Ronald L. Yates. He accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at the El Bethel Primitive Baptist Church, where his Grandfather, Deacon Jesse Yates and his father, Deacon Robert Yates served as Deacons. His Grandmother, Lottie Yates and his Mother, Maggie Yates were Mothers of the Church; and his brother, the Reverend Dr. Jonathan L. Yates, now serves as Pastor. As a youth, he was very active in Sunday School, Baptist Training Union, Choir, Usher Board, Young Ambassadors for Christ and numerous other organizations of the church.
Among Dr. Yates’ major passions in life was his passion to learn:
He was a 1969 Honors graduate of Central High School, where he played Clarinet in the Marching and Concert Bands.
In 1973, he earned a B.A. in Sociology (with Honors) from Bishop College, Dallas, TX. While at Bishop, he was elected President of the Student Senate, Alpha Kappa Mu National Honor Society, and Who’s Who among Students at Colleges and Universities.
In 1975, he earned a M.A. in Sociology from Indiana University, Bloomington, IN.
In 1978, he earned a M.S. in Criminal Justice from the University of Texas at Tyler, TX.
In 1984, he earned a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Texas, Austin, TX.
Dr. Yates’ noted vigorous pursuit of learning prepared him for his passion
to teach.
For the past four decades, Dr. Yates has taught Sociology-and-Criminal Justice-related courses to students in colleges and universities throughout the country, including institutions of higher learning in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, North Carolina, Michigan, and Oklahoma. Upon taken ill, Dr. Yates was doing what he loved – Teaching – at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, VA.
Dr. Yates was a prominent author and has written and published more than 60 research studies, papers, reports and articles that have appeared in academic journals, including the American Journal of Criminal Justice, Social Science Journal and Police Studies, Policing and Society. And he has been invited to present his research and findings at countless Academic Meetings and Forums throughout the country. His major books include:
“A Life Committed to Its Intended Anchorage and Soar: the Harmony between Spiritual Principles and Sound Science,” published in 2011.
“Social Scientific Research and Scholarship Joined with Universal Spiritual Truth –Principles in Explaining Donald Trump’s Candidacy and the Voters and Others in His Cohort Who Support Him,” published in 2017.
Dr. Yates was an active member of numerous academic, civic and social organizations, receiving countless recognitions and awards. He was also a proud member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
Following the teachings and legacy of his parents, wherever his call to teach led him, Dr. Yates always sought out, joined and became active in a church where he could worship God. And because of his passion to learn, he also joined, and became equally active in Sunday School classes.
As instilled into all of the children by their parents, Deacon and Mother Maggie Yates, Dr. Yates’ ultimate passion was the love of family, and his family passionately loved him in return. The Apostle Paul wrote in the 13th Chapter of Corinthians that of all the gifts a person might have through the work of God’s Spirit, none is greater than love.
Dr. Yates was preceded in death by his parents, Deacon Robert L. and Mother Maggie B. Yates, Sr.; his grandparents: Deacon Jesse and Mother Lottie Yates, and Brother Leander and Sister Gracie Bumpers; his brothers: Brother Robert L. Yates, Jr., Elder Dr. Bernard C. Yates, and Brother Alvin J. Allen; and his nephew, Brother Kenneth L. Yates.
Dr. Yates leaves to cherish his memory and celebrate his life: two sisters: Mary Yates (James) Mack of Daphne, AL, and Juanita Yates of Washington, DC; four brothers: the Reverend Dr. Orlando B. (Margie) Yates of Cincinnati, OH; his twin, the Reverend Dr. Ronald L. (Dr. Ruby) Yates of Grayson, GA; the Reverend Dr. Jonathan L. (Doris) Yates of Mobile, AL; and the Reverend Dr. Maynard G. (Lessie) Yates of Dallas, TX; one sister-in-law, Lady Vonda E. Yates of Cantonment, FL.; 14 nieces and nephews: Dr. Myria Mack (Olin) Knox; Jonathan L. (Priscille) Yates, Jr.; Dr. Titania Mack (Lawrence, II) Parker; Jeremy Yates; and Godson, the Reverend DeSean (Tanesha) Yates; Durand (Alicia) Yates; the Reverend Marcus (Dr. Naomi) Yates; the Reverend Michael Yates; Minister Leslie D. Yates; Maynard (Marquita) Yates, II; Judson Yates; the Reverend Stephen Yates; the Reverend Reginald (Kendra) Yates; and LaBrea Yates (Rickey) Duffy; 18 great nieces and nephews: Aaliyah, Lesley, Leah, Kyra, Lawrence, III, Durand, Jr., Noel, Liam, Kaylee, Mariah, Canaan, Reginald, II, Ricayden, Rikeylon, Aniyah, Yosiah, Jianna Belle and Rikylan; four aunts: Saloma Lawson, Daisy Green, Creaola Smith and Wilda Wyatt; one uncle: William (Janet) Bumpers; one adopted sister: Carolyn Tucker; three adopted brothers: Thaddeus Harris, Carl (Tony) Carter, and the Reverend Victor Broadenax; God sister: Ella Jean Shamburger; family friends: Gertha Bush and Joan Sargent Bell, and a host of other relatives and friends.