Stephen Marshall Yates
April 29, 1953 ~ October 7, 2005
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
STEPHEN M. YATES
Stephen Marshall Yates, 52, of 15 Poplar Creek Drive, Asheville,
NC, died Friday, October 7, 2005, at Memorial Mission Hospital.
Mr. Yates was born in Bardstown, KY and was a son of the late
William Marshall “Bill” and Loretta Catherine Mattingly Yates. He was
also preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Bill and Katie Yates
and his maternal grandparents Albertus and Mary Mattingly.
He was a graduate of Bardstown High School and received his
degree from Transylvania University in Lexington, KY in 1975. Formerly
he was a teacher at Christ School in Arden and also formerly worked
with Fletcher Motor Company and Thomas & Howard Co., (Ingles
Warehouse). At the time of his death he was associated with Mountain
Valley Water (Scotchie Enterprises). He was a member of St. Eugene’s
Catholic Church.
Stephen was a loving, happy, smiling man with a handshake for
everyone. He was an avid sportsman as a player, coach and fan. He
enjoyed hiking, biking, camping, fishing, and spending time with his
family and children.
He was a devoted husband and father and is survived by his
wife of eleven years, Karla Buckner Yates; four daughters, Carlye Yates
and her fiancé Jordan Kincaid of Asheville, and Ehrin Yates, Paige Yates
and Katie Yates of the home; a step-daughter Sonya Taylor of Asheville;
his former wife and life-long friend Debbie Henderson and her husband
Mike; his brothers and sisters Susie Boyle and her husband John of
Shelbyville, KY, Marsha Brunner and her husband Marvin of Louisville,
KY, Cathy Shaw and her husband Jim of Hodgenville, KY, Rita Parsons
and her husband Steve of Lexington, KY, David Yates and his wife Janie
of Bardstown, KY, Eileen Mitchell and her husband Mike of Lexington,
Patty Ryan and her husband Mike of Lexington, KY, Lisa Mattingly and
her husband Tom of Louisville, Eric Yates and his wife Ann of Columbus,
NC, Danny Yates and his wife Kim of Columbus, OH, and Brian Yates of
Bardstown, KY; his uncle on his mother’s side, Marvin Mattingly of
Bardstown, KY; and his aunts and uncles on his father’s side, Florence
Head, Ralph Yates and his wife Kim of Indianapolis, IN, Pat Yates of
Louisville, KY and Charlie Yates and his wife Setsuko of Lexington, KY.
A funeral service will be at 11:30 a.m. Monday at Central United
Methodist Church with the Rev. Robert M. Blackburn officiating.
His family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday at
Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue and suggest that in lieu of
flowers contributions be made to a trust fund for his children in care of
Asheville Savings Bank, 10 S. Tunnel Road, Asheville, NC 28805.
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Karla and family,
We are deeply saddened to hear of Steve’s death. Didn’t know him well, but having met him, know what a great guy he was. We are Lisa Yates Mattingly’s in-laws and know how much he was truly loved by all his siblings, and how much he will be missed. Can’t imagine the feelings you are having now, but just know that you and all your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Please accept our deepest, most sincere sympathy. From Pat and Leta Mattingly
Karla, Ehrin, Paige, Katie and Carlie
I am so sorry, there are no words to express the hurt you must all feel. I no that i will miss Steve terrible.I love you all and I know that god will take of you all.
Sincerly Lisa Wilsom
Karla, Ehrin, Paige, Katie and Carlie
I am so sorry, there are no words to express the hurt you must all feel. I no that i will miss Steve terrible.I love you all and I know that god will take of you all.
Sincerly Lisa Wilsom
Just wanted to send my deepest sympathies to your entire family. Hannah really enjoyed playing for ‘Coach Steve’ this past softball season. I am really so sorry for your loss and I will be praying for you all.
Karla and Girls, Paul(Ralph’s oldest son) and I would like to express our Deepest Sympathy in the loss of your husband and father. Though we have never met, know our hearts are with you at this terrible time.
Our hartfelt condolences to the
family of this precious man.
Karla and Family
Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. May Gods love and amazing grace lift you up and help you to carry on.
Karla Carlye Sonya Ehrin and Paige
I am still trying to pick my chin up off of the ground. I am so shocked. Karla, I know that i just saw you at the funeral home this weekend, and I am so sorry I couldn’t make it to you. I had no idea. I just burried my ‘adopted’ dad yesterday and that is what we were doing and why I couldnt just jump up and run away. I can’t even begin to express how sorry I am for the loss of your husband and father. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. If you need anything please let me know.
Love you guys always,
nichole luker
formerly gibbs
I REMEMBER YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AS ONE OF THE CLOSEST AND LOVING FAMILIES I HAVE EVER SEEN. THE SIMPLE THINGS MADE YOU HAPPY AND YOUR PARENTS WERE SO PROUD OF YOU, ESPECIALLY BILLY ALWAYS PRAISED AND BRAGGED ON HOW SMART STEVIE WAS. I ALWAYS AM WARMED IN MY HEART HOW MUCH YOU ALL DID FOR ESCH OTHER. ALTHO I AM NOT IN THE FAMILY ANYMORE, YOUR FAMILY IS IN MY PRAYERS AND CLOSE TO MY HEART. LOVE YOU ALL. BARB
I REMEMBER YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AS ONE OF THE CLOSEST AND LOVING FAMILIES I HAVE EVER SEEN. THE SIMPLE THINGS MADE YOU HAPPY AND YOUR PARENTS WERE SO PROUD OF YOU, ESPECIALLY BILLY ALWAYS PRAISED AND BRAGGED ON HOW SMART STEVIE WAS. I ALWAYS AM WARMED IN MY HEART HOW MUCH YOU ALL DID FOR ESCH OTHER. ALTHO I AM NOT IN THE FAMILY ANYMORE, YOUR FAMILY IS IN MY PRAYERS AND CLOSE TO MY HEART. LOVE YOU ALL. BARB
Karla – our love, thoughts, and prayers are with you and your daughters. It was great honor to have worked with Steve – such an honest and respected man.
He will be deeply missed.
Love, Angela and Paul
Karla and children: We want you to know how much we are thinking of you and how much we thought of Steve. Steve had that special personality of making you feel as if he had known you all his life and he was always concerned for everyone. He will be missed by so many people. If there is anything we can do for you please let us know. Love to you all, John and Julie Manuel
Karla,
You are the girls are in our prayers during this difficult time. May God wrap His loving arms around you and console you as only He can. I can’t even begin to imagine the pain of losing a spouse, but the only piece of mind would be to know that you will all be together with Our Heavenly Father for eternity, for Jesus said:
‘There are many rooms in my Father’s home, and I am going to prepare a place for you.’ John 14:2. Love, John, Tosha, Jonathon, and Abigael
Karla,
My thoughts and prayers are with your family today and in the days to come. Look to God for the strength to get through each day. Remember your friends are here for you to lean on.
Karla & Daughters,
I knew Steve for nearly 30 years. We worked together at Thomas & Howard Co. Our friendship continued through the years,long after I left Thomas & Howard in 1990. Steve did ALWAYS have a smile and a hello for his friends. We both were avid sports fans and devoted fathers. Steve’s greatest gift to me was his TOTAL HONESTY. He never ‘candy-coated’ anything but always gave you his honest thoughts and opinion. I feel honored to have known him and to have been able to call him my friend. My thoughts and prayers are with you and I ask that you keep pursuing the dreams and ideals that he wanted for each of you. A caring friend
Karla & family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May God comfort you and give you strength in these difficult days.
Karla,
Where do I begin to tell you how devestated I feel to receive this news. I am in shock, as I know you and the girls are. We have to rely on the fond memories— the times at the Cider Mill, Gatspy’s, and Bele Chere— and thank God every day that we had him with us, even for a short time. My thoughts and prayers are with you now and always. Again, I am so sorry for your loss.
All my love,
Diane
We will be thinking about each of you and praying for you not only over the next few days, but for years to come. Steve was such a wonderful person and touched so many people, he will be missed by many.
Mrs Yates and daughters,Though I had not seen Steve in some time, he has always had a special place in my heart. I was ‘much the better’ having known him. We spent lots of time together years ago. He was a man of conviction, integrity, and steadfast loyalty to all of us blessed to have known Steve. I loved him. Please call on Kenny and me for anything at all. God Bless your family. Butch Riddle & Family
With Our Heartfelt Sympathy
Karla,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. We only had the privilege of knowing Steve for a short time, but he touched our lives with his caring ways. You and the girls are in our thoughts and prayers.
Kathy, Patrick and Jenna Jensen
I can only imagne how hard this must be for your family. I am truely sorry for your loss. We are unable to make it, but our thoughts and prayers are with you and the entire family.
Your love and support during dads passing meant the world to mom and the rest of the family and will foever be remembered.
Mom, Aunt Florence, sends her love as well.
Love,
Nancy Ann Head Mullins and Family
My husband Joe, our children Connor, Brooke & son Elijah, Sierra, husband Josh and son Jacob.
I moved to Asheville 18 years ago and have played Adult (Old Timers) Baseball in the leagues around here every year since. That was the extent of most of my contact with Steve, but it was enough for me to have enormous respect for him. He was an excellent player, but more importantly, he was an excellent model for the way one should respect and enjoy the game and its participants.
Karla, I am convinced that God is as devastated as you are that someone like Steve is gone; this world needs people like him, and we will all miss him and his influence.
Karla and Daughters,
We are so sorry to hear the loss of a wonderful friend and co-worker. We loved working with Steve at Mountain Valley Water. He was such a joy to work with and will be sadly missed by everyone. God Bless you and your family and you are in our prayers.
Frances Whitted and Cindy Wolfrey
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Please let me know if I can do anything for you.
Tracy Jedd
Karla and family,
We are so very sorry to hear
about Steve…He was so wonderful and pleasant to be around. We looked
so forward each month when Steve came by, and enjoyed talking and
and reminiscing with Steve. He always smiled, and had nothing but good things to say..He will surly be missed. Our heart and prayers go out to you and the girls.
Bobby and Maggie Singo
Carla Our thoughts and Prayers goes out to all of you. Steve will be sadly missed. He was such a sweet person,Always smiled even tho he wanted more than anything to kill me over that stinking pitching machine.He will be greatly missed around East Asheville…. We Love you guys
*Lynn Taylor Softball Comm.
*James Bradley Youth League President
*All of the East Asheville Youth League Players and Coaches
My Prayers go out to Steve and his family. A classmate and friend.
Karla and family
Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this time and always. May the peace and love of God be with you. Sincerely Herwig Family
I was shocked to see my friendly water guy’s photo. I know Stephen Yates was a wonderful man. It was obvious that he treasured the beauty of this life. He blessed me every month with his positive attitude when he came to deliver water. I am so sorry for your loss.
Karla and family,
We were very heartbroken to hear the news that Steve had passed away.We only knew Steve for a short time,But he made us feel like he had known us all our lives.We met him while coaching softball this year.You could see in his eyes how much he loved coaching those girls,and how proud he was of each one of them.We feel very blessed to have gotten to know Steve.If there is anything we can do to help in anyway please let us know.
Love in Christ,
David,Angelyn & Ashley johnson
Dear Karla and Girls,
Steve will be missed greatly. He was always so happy and friendly any time or place you saw him. You and the girls are in our thoughts and prayers. Sorry we could not come but Dr. Parker and Staff where out of town for the week for the ADA convention.But I called and told them and they send their
thoughts & Prayers to all of you also. And I (Carol) had to quit and can’t walk anymore so I had no way to get there.
Love, Carol & Amber (@ Dr. Parker’s Office.)
We were all so surprised and saddened by the news about Steve, or ‘Stevie.’ Know that even though we (Aunt Florence and family) weren’t able to be there physically to show our support, you have all been in our thoughts and prayers throughout this time. Your presence when dad passed on meant so much to us, so we hope you know we were there in spirit with you. Steve is up there smiling with dad (Uncle Jake), Steve’s parents, and grandparents. The picture of Steve that is on-line is perfect for him-I always remember him smiling-a gentle yet strong ‘older cousin.’ He always had a way of making me feel welcome and loved in Bardstown, and I wasn’t surprised to read about his continued playing and coaching ball as an adult-that was always a fun part of our visits. I bet he was a great coach-teaching sportsmanship as well as skills-and a great dad and husband. To all Stevie’s brothers and sisters, and to his loved ones in NC, I send my support.
Love & Prayers-Joan Head