Deddy Ray was born in Pickens County on May 17, 1947 to the late Duffy and Lenie Stewart Yates. He retired from the Oconee Nuclear Station with over 36 years of service, and in his free time he enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening in his vegetable garden, and the outdoors. Deddy Ray was an avid collector of items, and never passed up a good deal at the local jockey lots. He loved to meet his friends at Bojangles for breakfast where he would enjoy his favorite biscuit. Most important to Deddy Ray was his family. He was extremely proud of them and devoted his life to showing them his love. He was a member of Cedar Rock Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, and a member of the Bates Masonic Lodge.
In addition to his loving wife of 54 years, Deddy Ray is survived by his three children: Tammy Yates of Pickens, Ben Yates (Shannon) of Easley, and Jeff "Pie" Yates (Laura) of Pickens; his four grandchildren: Haley McCall (Tyler), Alex Yates (Fiance Ashton), Kjursten Collier, and Haley Collier; and three great-grandchildren: Julia McCall, Ellie McCall, and Tucker McCall.
In addition to his parents, Deddy Ray was preceded in death by his four siblings: Louise Posey, Bob Yates, Marion "Mutt" Yates, and Mac Yates.
Funeral Services will be conducted at 3:00 PM on Sunday, September 3, 2023 in the Chapel of Dillard Funeral Home with interment to follow at Cedar Rock Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until 2:45 PM on Sunday, prior to the service, at Dillard Funeral Home.
The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Doctor Britt Bolemon and Sue Dean for their help, love, care, compassion, and concern for Deddy Ray during the last seven years.
The family is at the residence.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org/donate.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.dillardfunerals.com. Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
