Vicky Janette Yates
1944 – 2023
Vicky Janette Yates, 79, of Edmond, Oklahoma passed away on September 6, 2023, in Edmond, Oklahoma. She was born August 3, 1944, in Wellington, Kansas to Warren Nelson Harris and Ethelyn Lavon Blackmore Harris.
Warren moved the family from Wellington to Guthrie, Oklahoma when Vicky was 7 years old. Growing up in Guthrie, she met Jim who she described as ‘the love of her life’. Vicky and Jim began dating steadily during her senior year of high school while Jim was attending college at Central State University. Vicky graduated from Guthrie High School in 1962 and was married to Jim on June 1, 1964. They were married for 59 years and had 2 sons, Jim, and Chris. They settled in Edmond, and she started helping in her sons’ classrooms at Russell Dougherty Elementary, and eventually became a full-time employee of the Edmond Public Schools working as a teacher’s aide with special needs children. Vicky retired from her teaching career at Cross Timbers Elementary after 18 years of service so she could start taking care of grandkids. She then took care of her grandkids, while parents worked during the day, for 8 years until they were all in elementary school which was such a blessing to the grandkids and the parents.
Vicky loved going to church at New Covenant in Edmond, traveling around the world, ballroom dancing, playing piano, camping, fishing, and spending time with her family. Especially the grandkids!
She is preceded in death by her parents, Warren and Ethelyn, stepmother, Marjorie Eileen Blackmore, stepmother, Betty Jean Harris, half-sister, Jill Shannon Johnson, and stepsister, Carolyn Sue Webb Hightower.
Vicky is survived by her husband, Jim; her children, Jim and his wife, Tish, and Chris and his wife, Rebecca; her grandchildren, Harrison, Nicole, Teagan and Sophia; sisters Nancy Hopkins and Joy Privette, half-sister Jody West, stepbrother Jim Webb, and many other family and friends.
Visitation will be from 12:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 14, 2023, at Matthews Funeral Home, 601 S. Kelly Ave, Edmond, Oklahoma 73003. Family will be present to greet friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Funeral services will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 15, 2023, at New Covenant Church, 2700 S Blvd, Edmond, OK 73013.
Interment will take place at Summit View Cemetery, 1808 N Pine St, Guthrie, OK 73044 beginning at 1:30 p.m. on Friday.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for charitable donations to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org
Sue and I are so sorry to hear of Vicky’s passing. We will pray for the whole family. We will miss seeing her at our class gatherings.
On behalf of Vicky and I and our entire family we wish to extend our deepest sympathies. I was a pleasure to know her.
Sympathy goes to Jim and the Yates family due to the loss of Vicky. Vicky was a joy to know at New Covenant with her sweet smile and bubbly personality. She gave Jim a great deal of credit for providing good care to her in her later years.
Colleen Walker
We are so sorry to hear of Vicky’s passing. We send prayers to Jim & all the Yates family for peace and comfort at this difficult time. Vicky was a sweet, delightful lady. We had some great adventures over the years in our Model A’s!
Bill & Sue Harris
Jim, we are so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Gary and JoAnn Clonts
I am so sorry to hear of Vicky’s passing. I can see her still sitting in the passenger seat of your antique car roaring down Broadway. Prayers for you and your family. God bless.
Tim
Vicky was always so kind and such fun. We will all miss her coming by to visit at UCO!
Our deepest sympathy for Jim & family on Vicky’s passing. It was always a pleasure to visit with her at UCO events. She will be greatly missed. David & Karen
I just learned yesterday of Vicky’s passing. Please accept my deepest sympathies for Jam and her wonderful family. It was always such fun to go dancing with Jim and Vicky. She was a joy to be with.