John N. Yates, 88, a lifelong resident of Benton, passed away Wednesday, January 23, 2008 in an Etowah hospital.

He was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and was the recipient of the Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Unit Award, Army of Occupations of Japan Medal and the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with the Bronze Battle Star.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Neallie Elizabeth Watson Yates; parents, William Norris Yates and Mary Julie Harrison Yates; 6 sisters and 1 brother.

He is survived by his children: Charles and Jeanette Yates of Benton, John and Janet Yates of Acworth, GA, Julie Yates of Old Fort, and Elizabeth Wren of Sandy Springs, GA; special friend, Bonnie Wilcox of Reliance, 2 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Saturday in the chapel of Higgins Funeral Home with the Reverend Wilfred Wright officiating. Interment will follow in Old Ocoee Cemetery with military honors. A white dove release ceremony will conclude the service.

His family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Yates family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.