ZACHARY AUSTIN YATES

Zachary Austin Yates, age 26, of Vansant, passed away on Friday, August 14, 2020 at his home after a brief illness. Born in Richlands, he was the son of Avery Yates and Patricia Hicks. He was an employee of AT&T in Lebanon. He was Valedictorian of his class at Richlands High School in 2012. Then, in 2016 he graduated with honors from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville with a double major in Economics and Statistics. He was a very intelligent, gentle and wonderful person. Zachary was always such a humble and kind young man. “The Will of the Lord Be Done” He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Gobel Yates and Hassel Stacy and grandmother, Goldie Stacy.

In addition to his parents, survivors include his brother, Joshua Mitchell; his sister, Kayla Mitchell; grandmother, Alene Yates; uncles, Dexter (Teresa) Yates, Michael (Natasha) Yates, Earl, Raymond (Patricia), Hassel Jr. Stacy, aunts, Trenia (Terry) Keene, Crystal (Jeremy) O’Quinn, Bonnie (Troy) Mitchell, Janice (Greg) Estep and Joyce (Ellis) Hagerman and several cousins.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 19, at Russel Prater Old Regular Baptist church with Elders, Denny Deel, Andy Deel, Roger Coleman, George Baker and Sean Hicks. Burial will follow in Yates Cemetery, Greenbrier. Pallbearers will be Dexter Yates, Jeremy O’Quinn, Joshua Mitchell, Michael Yates, Terry Ray Keene Jr., Nicholas O’Quin, Terry Keene and Colten Yates. The family received friends after 6 p.m. on Tuesday at the church with an evening service at 7 p.m.

Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.