Joseph S. Yates

Joseph S. Yates passed away on Thursday, May 24, 2018 at home in Jacksonville, FL surrounded by family. He was born to Budwell Yates and Regina Ramsey Yates in Rotan Spanish Honduras. Joseph said his father died, however his maternal grandfather, Orin Hynds helped raise him. His grandfather was a mean, blind, AME preacher.

Joseph completed his education in the schools of Rotan. As he was determined to leave home, he became a merchant seaman. He entered the USA in 1954 at the Jacksonville Port and obtained citizenship in 1984.

Working was Joseph’s legacy. He believed that a man should work if he was to eat. Joseph worked at Hertz Car Rental when it was located downtown across from the new Federal Court House. He also worked as a salesman for Gate City Mattress, Jacksonville Appliance and Surfside Furniture. After a period of self-employment, he completed his work time at the Florida Times Union as a circulation coordinator. Joseph retired at the age of 78.

In his community, he was known as a runner. For many years, Joseph ran daily. Often times he challenged his sons and their friends to run with him. They would sprint off like rabbits, but in the end, he won. Again, the Bible is right, “The race is not given to the swift or the strong, but to them the endure to the end.”

Joseph leaves to cherish his memory, Janie M. Yates, his wife of 48 years; sons, Joseph II, Leighton (Amy) Yates, Charles (Delain) Sawyer, Marvin (Janice) McTaw, and Robert (Lisa) Rinders; daughters, Josephine (Larry) Person and Kanella Clark; sixteen grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

Joseph died at home Thursday night, May 24, 2018, with his family at his bedside.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, May 31, 2018 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  and he funeral service will be held  Friday, June 1, 2018 at 10:00 a.m., both at Church of God Sanctuary of Praise, 5755 Soutel Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32219. A visitation will also take place one hour prior to the start of the service on Friday at the church.

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