Theresa Joy Yackley

Theresa was born July 28th, 1934 in Richwood, WV to Vallie and Elvera Olita D’Ambrosio. She was married to Albert Yackley in 1954 until his death in 2003. They raised 6 children. Theresa enjoyed music, painting, writing poetry, and community theater. She instilled a love of the arts so strong in her children that three of them went into musical careers (along with at least three grandchildren). She was also a dedicated sports mom who attended all of her offsprings’ many events, be it baseball, football, tennis, golf, or cheering. She was happiest when her house was full, and ensured that her home was welcoming so it always would be.

Theresa attended college as a grandmother, earning an Associates degree in social psychology, which she used to become a Guardian Ad Litem in Rockingham, NC. She took courses in handwriting analysis and offered her services to the police to help with cases. She also initiated a foundation to raise funds for Children’s Haven, a home for abused children. Theresa was an incredibly charitable woman with a rich spiritual life, always working to create a better world for children.

Theresa is survived by her 6 children (Randal and his wife Mary Jo of Livingston, TX; Thomas and his wife Robin of Alpharetta, GA; Lou Ann of Dalton, GA; David and his wife Tracey of Redmond, WA; Frank and his wife Valerie of Charlotte, NC; and Jeffrey and his wife Melissa of Green, OH), 16 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, and her younger brother, Joseph “Sonny” D’Ambrosio and his wife Kathy of Vero Beach, FL, her step-brother Pete Lopez lives in Charleston WV; step-sister Toni Mae (Fred) Smith, Palm Court FL; half-sister Pamela (Frank) Payne, Cutler Bay FL; half-sister Mary (deceased) (Terry) Stefursky, Charleston WV; half-brother Danny (Ida, deceased) McCoy D’Ambrosio, Nettie WV.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Alzheimer’s Association or Kids in Need of Defense (KIND).

A private family service will be held in Alpharetta, GA and burial will be next to her husband in Holy Family Catholic Cemetery in Richwood, WV at a later date.

Roswell Funeral Home is handling arrangements.