Selma Lucille (Strickland) Yates, age 87, of Oak Hill, Ohio, peacefully went to be with her Lord and best friend on Monday evening, September 7, 2015. Selma was surrounded by family at the SOMC Hospice House in Portsmouth, Ohio when she succumbed to several months of failing health.
Born to Pete and Viola Strickland on February 22, 1928, Selma spent her early years working with, playing with, or taking care of her siblings Robert, Margie, Raymond and Marvin. While excelling as a student at Oak Hill High School, Selma still found time to play basketball, waitress at her parents’ lunch counter and waitress at Dutch’s Restaurant. Little known to most, Selma rode a Harley and did a little square dancing where she met the man who would help produce the litany of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren listed below.
Having given her life to serve Christ in the early years of her marriage, she had spent over 60 years praying fervently for her family and anyone she came in close contact with. She was a devoted member of the Nazarene Church in both Jackson and Largo, Florida. She also faithfully worked for 52 years at Cedar Heights Clay Co. of Oak Hill, faithfully served as a loving wife to that converted square dancer, Carl E. Yates, and was a dedicated mother and matriarch to her family. Selma enjoyed retirement by spending the winters in Florida and the summers watching her grandchildren play in her pool.
Selma is survived by her children: Linda and Herb Simpson, Sharon and Fred Stiffler, Randy and Alison Yates, Aric and Patricia Yates, and Valorie and Roger Miller. Grandchildren include Angie and Brian Smith, Tonya Stumbo, Carla and Sean Taylor, Jeremy Carter, Stacey and Matt Davidson, Karli and Madison Yates, Colt Yates, Kelisha Wheatley, Nikki Wolford, Josh and Nathan McCarter, Brooklyn and Joshua Moore. Great-grandchildren include Devan, Alex, and Katelyn Smith, Nathan and Alianna Royster, Jessica Taylor, Makayla and Carter Davidson, Adalyn Yates, Deagen Barker, Hayden Jones, Jude and Emmitt Wolford, Josh McCarter, Kynslie, Parker and Jordyn Moore.
Selma was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Robert; her husband, Carl E. Yates; and one daughter, Karen Kay Carter.
Calling hours will be held Saturday, September 12 at the Mayhew-Brown Funeral Home in Jackson, Ohio from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The funeral service will be held at 4 p.m. with Evangelist Calvin Ray Evans and Pastor Mike Percell officiating, with burial to follow in Monroe Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Selma’s memory to SOMC Hospice, 2201 25th Street, Portsmouth, OH 45662; or to Calvin Ray Evans Evangelistic Outreach, 229 Ohio Avenue, New Boston, OH 45662. Condolences may be sent to www.mayhew-brownfuneralhome.com