Obituary for Maggie Yates (Bumpers)
Mother Maggie Bumpers Yates, daughter of the late Bro. Leander and Sis. Gracie Bumpers, was born September 18, 1921, in Jackson, AL. On Tuesday, January 28, 2020, she quietly and peacefully entered into eternal rest in Lawrenceville, GA.
The oldest of 13 children, Mother Yates accepted Christ at an early age, uniting with the family church, Berry’s Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church.
As a teenager, she relocated to Mobile to live with her Grandmother and continue her education. In time, she would meet Robert L. Yates who became her husband and partner for more than 60 years until his death in 1999. Together, they are the parents of 10 Children in a family that has grown to 15 Grandchildren and 17 Great Grandchildren.
Upon marriage, she united with the El Bethel Primitive Baptist Church, joining her husband, Deacon Robert L. Yates, and his parents, Deacon Jesse and Mother Lottie Yates. Mother Yates played an active role in the life of the church, including: Deaconess, Counselor to the Matrons, and choir membership, where she was often featured as a soloist. She was later honored with the title, “Mother of the Church,” a recognition bestowed upon her by her son and Pastor, the Rev. Dr. Jonathan L. Yates, and the congregation. Traveling with Deacon Yates throughout the country each year to participate in church conventions, Mother Yates also served as an elected official in the Women’s Congress of the National Primitive Baptist Convention, USA.
For the past few years, Mother Yates has resided in Lawrenceville, GA with her son, the Rev. Dr. Ronald L. Yates and his family. There, she united under Watch Care with Embrace Church, where her son and daughter-in-law, the Rev. Dr. Ruby Yates, served as Senior Pastor and Co-Pastor. The role of Senior Pastor is now filled by Mother Yates’ grandson, the Rev. Marcus Yates.
Throughout her lifetime, Mother Yates has extended herself, serving the needs of others as an early pioneer on Election Day working at Polling places around the City; encouraging Voter Registration for African Americans; and promoting campaigns and initiatives that addressed issues of Equality and Empowerment for African Americans citizens and persons with disabilities and low income.
A Federated Club Woman for well over sixty years, Mother Yates has personified the Federation of Women & Youth Clubs’ motto of, “Lifting As We Climb.” From organizer and Supervisor of Azalea Federated Club’s first Girls Club in the early 1960s – to her many other roles, Mother Yates has been a Leader. In recognition of her leadership and dedication, in 2013, the Mobile City Federation of Women’s and Youth Clubs established the Maggie B. Yates Federated Club in honor of her legacy. The Club has grown tremendously and is actively engaged in numerous activities which support causes that are near and dear to Mother Yates. These include: The caring and support of Residents in Nursing Homes, support for the Homeless and Persons with Disabilities; and the awarding of the Maggie B. Yates Federated Club Scholarships to College-bound Students.
Mother Yates’ numerous affiliations through the years have also included the National Council of Negro Women and Oziel Chapter #1, Order of the Eastern Star, where she served as Associate Worthy Matron. When the chapter folded, Mother Yates transferred membership to the Marie V. Dixon, Chapter #875.
Her career path has taken Mother Yates - from serving children as a Substitute Teacher in the Mobile County Public School System – to serving the elderly and persons with disabilities in Nursing Homes throughout the City. She retired from Twin Oaks Nursing Home.
Even with the numerous Honors and Awards Mother Yates has received through the years, she considered her greatest blessing and gift, her loving family. While loving and working diligently to address and meet the needs of family and friends, Mother Yates also spent a lifetime reaching outward to embrace those in the community who were the marginalized and forgotten.
For the Yates family, the legacy of Church, Community, Caring and Service -- taught, embodied, and showcased through the lifetime -- works and contributions of Deacon Robert and Mother Maggie Yates -- showcase a wonderful and blessed heritage. Because of their example, their Children, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren are now finding their own vehicles to continue the family legacy of Love and Thanksgiving to God and Service to Others.
Mother Yates was proceeded in death by her devoted husband and partner of more than 60 years, Deacon Robert L. Yates, Sr.; her parents, Bro. Leander and Sis Gracie Bumpers; seven siblings; two sons: Robert L. Yates, Jr. and Alvin J. Allen; and grandson, Kenneth L. Yates.
Mother Yates leaves to cherish her memory and celebrate her life: two daughters: Mary Yates (James) Mack of Daphne, AL, and Juanita Yates of Washington, DC; six sons: the Rev. Dr. Orlando B. (Margie) Yates of Cincinnati, OH; the Rev. Dr. Ronald L. (Dr. Ruby) Yates of Lawrenceville, GA; Dr. Donald Yates of Radford, VA; the Rev. Dr. Jonathan L. (Doris) Yates of Mobile, AL; the Rev. Dr. Maynard G. (Lessie) Yates of Dallas, TX; and the Rev. Dr. Bernard C. (Vonda) Yates of Cantonment, FL.; 14 grandchildren: Dr. Myria Mack (Olin) Knox; Jonathan L. (Priscille) Yates, Jr.; Dr. Titania Mack (Lawrence, II) Parker; Jeremy Yates; the Rev. DeSean (Tanesha) Yates; Durand (Alicia) Yates; the Rev. Marcus (Dr. Naomi) Yates; the Rev. Michael Yates; Minister Leslie D. Yates; Maynard (Marquita) Yates, II; Judson Yates; the Rev. Stephen Yates; the Rev. Reginald (Kendra) Yates; and LaBrea Yates (Ricky) Duffy; 17 great grandchildren: Aaliyah, Lesley, Leah, Kyra, Lawrence, III, Durand, Jr., Noel, Liam, Kaylee, Mariah, Canaan, Reginald, II, Ricayden, Rikeylon, Aniyah, Yosiah, and Jianna Belle; four sisters: Saloma Lawson of Upperchichester, PA; Daisy (Wallace) Green of Queens, NY; Creaola Smith of Bear, DE and Wilda Wyatt of Newark, DE; one brother: William (Janet) Bumpers of New Castle, DE; one adopted daughter: Carolyn Tucker; three adopted sons: Thaddeus Harris, Carl (Tony) Carter, and the Rev. Victor Broadenax; two Surrogate daughters: Gertha Bush and Joan Sargent Bell; devoted friend: Emile Eaton; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
The oldest of 13 children, Mother Yates accepted Christ at an early age, uniting with the family church, Berry’s Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church.
As a teenager, she relocated to Mobile to live with her Grandmother and continue her education. In time, she would meet Robert L. Yates who became her husband and partner for more than 60 years until his death in 1999. Together, they are the parents of 10 Children in a family that has grown to 15 Grandchildren and 17 Great Grandchildren.
Upon marriage, she united with the El Bethel Primitive Baptist Church, joining her husband, Deacon Robert L. Yates, and his parents, Deacon Jesse and Mother Lottie Yates. Mother Yates played an active role in the life of the church, including: Deaconess, Counselor to the Matrons, and choir membership, where she was often featured as a soloist. She was later honored with the title, “Mother of the Church,” a recognition bestowed upon her by her son and Pastor, the Rev. Dr. Jonathan L. Yates, and the congregation. Traveling with Deacon Yates throughout the country each year to participate in church conventions, Mother Yates also served as an elected official in the Women’s Congress of the National Primitive Baptist Convention, USA.
For the past few years, Mother Yates has resided in Lawrenceville, GA with her son, the Rev. Dr. Ronald L. Yates and his family. There, she united under Watch Care with Embrace Church, where her son and daughter-in-law, the Rev. Dr. Ruby Yates, served as Senior Pastor and Co-Pastor. The role of Senior Pastor is now filled by Mother Yates’ grandson, the Rev. Marcus Yates.
Throughout her lifetime, Mother Yates has extended herself, serving the needs of others as an early pioneer on Election Day working at Polling places around the City; encouraging Voter Registration for African Americans; and promoting campaigns and initiatives that addressed issues of Equality and Empowerment for African Americans citizens and persons with disabilities and low income.
A Federated Club Woman for well over sixty years, Mother Yates has personified the Federation of Women & Youth Clubs’ motto of, “Lifting As We Climb.” From organizer and Supervisor of Azalea Federated Club’s first Girls Club in the early 1960s – to her many other roles, Mother Yates has been a Leader. In recognition of her leadership and dedication, in 2013, the Mobile City Federation of Women’s and Youth Clubs established the Maggie B. Yates Federated Club in honor of her legacy. The Club has grown tremendously and is actively engaged in numerous activities which support causes that are near and dear to Mother Yates. These include: The caring and support of Residents in Nursing Homes, support for the Homeless and Persons with Disabilities; and the awarding of the Maggie B. Yates Federated Club Scholarships to College-bound Students.
Mother Yates’ numerous affiliations through the years have also included the National Council of Negro Women and Oziel Chapter #1, Order of the Eastern Star, where she served as Associate Worthy Matron. When the chapter folded, Mother Yates transferred membership to the Marie V. Dixon, Chapter #875.
Her career path has taken Mother Yates - from serving children as a Substitute Teacher in the Mobile County Public School System – to serving the elderly and persons with disabilities in Nursing Homes throughout the City. She retired from Twin Oaks Nursing Home.
Even with the numerous Honors and Awards Mother Yates has received through the years, she considered her greatest blessing and gift, her loving family. While loving and working diligently to address and meet the needs of family and friends, Mother Yates also spent a lifetime reaching outward to embrace those in the community who were the marginalized and forgotten.
For the Yates family, the legacy of Church, Community, Caring and Service -- taught, embodied, and showcased through the lifetime -- works and contributions of Deacon Robert and Mother Maggie Yates -- showcase a wonderful and blessed heritage. Because of their example, their Children, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren are now finding their own vehicles to continue the family legacy of Love and Thanksgiving to God and Service to Others.
Mother Yates was proceeded in death by her devoted husband and partner of more than 60 years, Deacon Robert L. Yates, Sr.; her parents, Bro. Leander and Sis Gracie Bumpers; seven siblings; two sons: Robert L. Yates, Jr. and Alvin J. Allen; and grandson, Kenneth L. Yates.
Mother Yates leaves to cherish her memory and celebrate her life: two daughters: Mary Yates (James) Mack of Daphne, AL, and Juanita Yates of Washington, DC; six sons: the Rev. Dr. Orlando B. (Margie) Yates of Cincinnati, OH; the Rev. Dr. Ronald L. (Dr. Ruby) Yates of Lawrenceville, GA; Dr. Donald Yates of Radford, VA; the Rev. Dr. Jonathan L. (Doris) Yates of Mobile, AL; the Rev. Dr. Maynard G. (Lessie) Yates of Dallas, TX; and the Rev. Dr. Bernard C. (Vonda) Yates of Cantonment, FL.; 14 grandchildren: Dr. Myria Mack (Olin) Knox; Jonathan L. (Priscille) Yates, Jr.; Dr. Titania Mack (Lawrence, II) Parker; Jeremy Yates; the Rev. DeSean (Tanesha) Yates; Durand (Alicia) Yates; the Rev. Marcus (Dr. Naomi) Yates; the Rev. Michael Yates; Minister Leslie D. Yates; Maynard (Marquita) Yates, II; Judson Yates; the Rev. Stephen Yates; the Rev. Reginald (Kendra) Yates; and LaBrea Yates (Ricky) Duffy; 17 great grandchildren: Aaliyah, Lesley, Leah, Kyra, Lawrence, III, Durand, Jr., Noel, Liam, Kaylee, Mariah, Canaan, Reginald, II, Ricayden, Rikeylon, Aniyah, Yosiah, and Jianna Belle; four sisters: Saloma Lawson of Upperchichester, PA; Daisy (Wallace) Green of Queens, NY; Creaola Smith of Bear, DE and Wilda Wyatt of Newark, DE; one brother: William (Janet) Bumpers of New Castle, DE; one adopted daughter: Carolyn Tucker; three adopted sons: Thaddeus Harris, Carl (Tony) Carter, and the Rev. Victor Broadenax; two Surrogate daughters: Gertha Bush and Joan Sargent Bell; devoted friend: Emile Eaton; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.