Mr. Heston Troyce Yates, 75, of Lanett, passed away on June 22 in Opelika. He was born on March 12, 1944, in Clay County.

Yates is survived by his wife of 54 years, Brenda Yates; his children, Tim Yates, Terri (Shane) Justiss, Lana (Bobby) Smith and Jason (Donna) Yates; his grandchildren, Brittany (Josh) Richardson, Blake Justiss, Rebecca Yates, Savannah Justiss, Jeremy Pollard, Kassi Smith, Emma Smith, Katie Yates, Jackson Yates, Rachael Smith and Carlee Smith; his great-grandchildren, Roxie, Troy, and Zoe Richardson, Jayce Griggs, Emmaleigha Smith, Jaxon Duffey, Serenity Sharpe, Kyndal Sharpe, Lyricc Sharpe; his sister, Sharon (Harry) Caldwell; his brother-in-law, Johnnie Burke; his sisters-in-law, Angie (Chris) Duffey and Donna (Ken) McDowell; a host of special nieces and nephews that he loved dearly, and who were all “his favorite.”   

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Velma Yates; and his sister, Betty Joan Burke.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 26 at 11 a.m. EDT at the Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home Chapel in Valley. Interment will follow in Johnson Memorial Gardens.  The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. EDT at the Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home in Valley.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in memory of Yates to the Tallapoosa County Girls Ranch, 174 Sanford Drive, Camp Hill, 36850, to Plant City United Methodist Church, 110 E 18th Street, Lanett, 36830, or to Valley Haven School, PO Box 416, Valley, 36854.

Yates enjoyed gardening, reading, antiques, history, and spending time in nature. He worked with many charity and volunteer organizations and was always involved with anything to help his community. He was a big fan of Auburn football, the Valley Rams, and any sport his grandchildren were part of. He loved his wife’s cooking, traveling with his family, telling stories and reminiscing, and spending time with his family and friends.

Please visit our website at www.johnsonbrownservicefh.com to leave a condolence for the family, to share a memory of Mr. Yates, or to light a Remembrance Candle in his memory.

Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home of Valley directing.