Keith Yates

BUNCOMBE, Ill. -- Keith L. Yates, 52, of Buncombe died Sunday, June 27, 2004, at his home.

He was born July 13, 1951, in Harrisburg, Ill., son of Wendell L. and Carla June Crews Yates. He first married Lois Gurley. He later married Diane K. Darner Dec. 19, 1992, at Buncombe.

Yates was wood yard foreman at Waldschmidt Wood Yard in Wickliffe, Ky. He was a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church near Buncombe, where he served as Sunday school superintendent, vacation Bible school director and discipleship training instructor. He was a former Sunday school director for Union Baptist Association.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Joshua Yates of Cape Girardeau; three stepsons, Rick Spraggs of Vernon Hills, Ill., Bill Spraggs of Chicago, Tom Spraggs of DeKalb, Ill.; a sister, Debbie Brown of Vienna, Ill.; two brothers, Kelly Yates of Benton, Ky., George Yates of Vienna; and a grandson.

Friends may call at Mount Zion Baptist Church today from 10 a.m. until time of service.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. today at the church, with the Revs. Jim Shipley and Floyd Stout officiating. Burial will be in Mount Zion Cemetery.

Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna is in charge of arrangements.