Virginia Kaul Greene Yates, age 90, died on October 31, 2015 in Birmingham, AL. Virginia is survived by her husband, Edward Joseph Hanz, of Cleveland, OH, her brother, John Kaul Greene, of Lake Forest, IL; five children, Virginia Roy Yates of Missoula, MT, Eugene Adams Yates (Martha) of Lolo, MT, Anne Yates Proctor (Patrick) of Chico, CA, Margaret Yates Buckenmayer (Bob) of Poway, CA, and Samuel Earle Yates (Heidi) of Mountain Brook, AL; fourteen grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren. Virginia was born on October 29, 1925 in Birmingham, AL, to parents Virginia Kaul and Samuel Earle Greene. She was the granddaughter of Judge Samuel Earle Greene and Rosa Miller, and John Lanzel Kaul and Virginia Roy Head. Virginia attended both Vassar College and Birmingham Southern and began her career as a reporter for The Birmingham News. At the age of 46, she started a second career in aviation, obtaining a private, commercial, instrument, multi-engine, certified flight instrument instructor, and ATP certificates. She and her former husband, Eugene Adams Yates Jr, of Atlanta, created and operated Yates Air, an FBO at Peachtree DeKalb Airport in Atlanta, amassing an inventory of over 18 aircraft, and engaging in flight training, air charter, sales and leasing. Virginia logged over 5000 hours of Pilot in Command time during her career, and retired in 1995. Virginia Yates was a smart, strong, independent woman. She loved her large family. An adventurer, she traveled the world, piloted her own plane, hiked the Appalachian mountains, jumped into water falls, snow skied, loved scuba diving, and even attempted hang gliding! Among other things she championed women's rights and was a role model for her daughters and grand daughters. Stubbornly, she made it to her 90th birthday surrounded by family. She waited another 24 hours and passed away Halloween morning, her favorite holiday. Virginia will be missed for her spirit, intelligence, love of people, and ability to live life to the fullest. Virginia and her husband Ed of 30 years, spent their summers in Linville, NC, and winters in Stuart, FL, while maintaining a residence in Birmingham. A celebration of her life will be held in the future with close family. Memorial donations may be sent to The Black Warrior Riverkeeper Organization, www.blackwarriorriver.org, or Planned Parenthood of Birmingham.
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