Grace V. Yates

Grace Violet Farris Yates, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, died Friday, September 17, 2010, of natural causes. She was 83. Grace was born in Wayne County, Illinois, on September 29, 1926 to Lawrence and Ethel Farris and was one of eight children. She graduated from Cisne Community High School in 1945 and married Robert C. Yates, also from Wayne County, Illinois. They moved from Illinois and eventually settled in Oklahoma, raising three daughters, eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. After raising her family, Grace pursued her dream of education, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Education degree from Central State University in 1978, and also a Master of Arts degree from Central State University in 1983. Grace was a member of Our Lord's Community Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and loved the Lord. She shared her faith with others whenever the opportunity arose and had a very active prayer life! Grace was a member of Beta Sigma Phi since 1953, and a member of P.E.O., chapter BF. Grace was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Ethel (Lasley) Farris; sister, Jessie Barnes; sister, Gaynelle Auvil-Buchanan; brother, Ross Farris; sister, Mary Lee; brother, Roy Farris; and sister, Alta Walker. Grace is survived by her beloved husband of 64 years, Robert C. Yates; daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Henry Luster; daughter, Suzette Huggins; and daughter, Annette Coxon of Houston, Texas; grandchildren: Mark and Julie Luster, Greg and Kacey Luster, Adam and Amibeth Luster, Kristin and William Brittain, Shannon and Justin Perdue, Christopher Coxon, Matthew Coxon, and Andrew Coxon; great-grandchildren: Mary, Megan and Grant Luster; Kaitlyn and Jackson Luster; Tyler and Tristen Luster; Sara and Ava Brittain; and sister, Eileen Williams of Geff, Illinois. Services will be at Our Lord's Community Church in Oklahoma City on Thursday, September 23, 2010, at 2pm. Interment will be at Rose Hill Burial Park in Oklahoma City. Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Home is in charge of Arrangements. The family will be at the funeral home between 6:00 and 8:00 pm on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Kidney Foundation and the American Lung Association. Arrangements under the direction of Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors, Oklahoma City, OK.