WAXHAW, NC ~ Mrs. Valerie Louise Hartless Yates, age 74, passed away Tuesday, November 22, 2022.  She was born December 21, 1947, in Roanoke, VA, a daughter of George William Hartless and the late Esther Louise Hodgers and was the wife of Richard Wayne Yates. Mrs. Yates and her husband, Wayne, were Bible translators at JAARS for 38 years. Mrs. Yates was a Child of God, she loved working for the Lord and sharing the Gospel. She was a member of Second Baptist Church Lancaster where she enjoyed worshipping and singing in the choir. Mrs. Yates loved reading, painting, and baking bread. She loved her family dearly, especially her grandchildren. Her family will always remember her as the sweetest and most amazing woman and will always cherish her memory.

Mrs. Yates is survived by her husband of 54 years; Wayne Yates; her daughter, Michelle Yates (Susan Marrs), and Kimberly Yates; four grandchildren, Patrick Boatright (Miranda), Amanda Boatright Gulley (Kyle), Samantha Boatright, and Andreo Yates; five great-grandchildren, Marissa Boatright, Isaac McClain, Cayden Boatright, Emery Gulley, and Annistyn Boatright; her father, George Hartless; her brother, Nathan Hartless; and her three sisters, Kathy Sexton, Karen Morris, and Judy Smith (Stewart).

Mrs. Yates was preceded in death by her mother, Esther Hartless; and her brother, Danny William Hartless.

The Celebration of Life Service for Mrs. Yates will be 11:00 am Saturday, December 3, 2022, at The Chapel of Burgess Funeral Home officiated by Dr. Brian Saxon and Dr. David Carlton. The family ask guests to wear purple in honor of Mrs. Yates, as purple was her favorite color.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 – 11:00 am, one hour prior to the service, at Burgess Funeral Home and other times at the home of Michelle and Susan. You may call Burgess Funeral Home (803-283-2100) for the home address. In lieu of flowers, for those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to Second Baptist Church Lancaster, Global Harvest Fund, 1426 Great Falls Rd, Lancaster, SC 29720.

An online guest register is available on the obituaries page at www.burgessfunerals.com .

Burgess Funeral Home & Crematory of Lancaster is caring for the family o f M rs. Valerie Yates.