Yolanda Kates

Yolanda attended Brookland Elementary School, Bertie Backus Middle School, and Theodore Roosevelt High School before going on to attend Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, where she earned a degree in social work. Upon graduating from Temple University, she sought to build a life for herself in the Philly area. She pursued various jobs, such as providing support for incarcerated men facing difficult circumstances, while simultaneously searching for a fulfilling and stable career.

Yolanda’s teen and young adult years were shaped by her unwavering commitment to music and her faith. Blessed with a beautiful voice that she further refined through regular vocal lessons, her passion for singing inspired her to join the choir. Choir opened her up to new and exciting experiences—like traveling abroad to perform in Europe—allowing her to share her vocal gifts with a wider audience.

Yolanda’s frequent church attendance, coupled with her love for singing, only amplified the strong bond she felt for both music and the church. Aspiring to deepen her understanding of the Bible and how to live a life guided by its teachings, she would eventually enroll at a seminary to continue her religious education. She flourished there, meeting like minded individuals who shared in her curiosity and would help shape her thoughts on religion and spirituality.

While she ultimately chose a different path than one in the religious field, Yolanda stayed true to her calling to help others, finding a home at the National Washington Hospital Center. Beginning in Guest Services, she later moved to the Washington National Eye Clinic, where she spent over 25 years as a Resident Coordinator. Through her work, she positively influenced the lives of countless young residents, witnessing their transformation into more self-assured practitioners. Her kindness and warmth earned her the love of the residents, and even doctors who had long since graduated would stop by to reconnect and share stories with her.

Yolanda was a vibrant and artistic person who enjoyed expressing herself through arts and crafts, cooking, and baking. Word scrambles and puzzles were among her favorite hobbies, and her extensive collection of coloring books and pencils was a sight to behold. You could frequently find her in the kitchen singing along to a song in perfect key while attempting a new recipe she was given by a coworker. She derived great pleasure from sharing joy with others, often expressing this through the act of giving thoughtful gifts to those she held dear, demonstrating her appreciation for them.

Affectionately known by family and friends by her nickname ‘Yannie,’ Yolanda was a radiant spirit who held compassion for all, and will live on in the hearts of all of those she touched. Yolanda departed this earth to join her father, John Harrell, Jr. and her brothers, Michael Harrell and Kevin Harrell. Her love and memory lives on within her mother, Gertrude Harrell; her children, Melanie Kates and Aaron Kates; her brother, Anthony Harrell and sister, Michell Harrell; her other siblings: Robin Lee (Greg) Alston, Renard Lee, Ronnie (Mary Lee), Troy Cotton, and Keith McDowell; her nieces and nephews: Jasmine Harrell, Michael Harrell Jr., Anthony Harrell Jr., Isaiah Harrell, Yasmine Lee, Jaelin Lee, Bryant Lee, Raven Lee; and a host of family and friends.