Jesse was a native of Chambers County, Alabama, and lived most of his life in Lanett, Alabama and West Point, Georgia. In late 2013, he and his wife, Nita, moved to Vidalia, Georgia. Mr. Yates was a Navy Veteran of World War II, where he served in the South Pacific and the Philippines. He was a member of First Christian Church of Lanett. Mr. Yates worked as a machinist with Batson Cook Company in West Point during his early years and then Ampex Corporation in Opelika, Alabama, where he retired. Until his health declined, he loved the outdoors, camping with the Valley Vagabonds, working with his tools, working in the yard and was known by his family, friends and church as “Mr. Fix-It.” Jesse always helped everyone he could with proficient handyman skills over many years and rarely took payment for his services.

Mr. Yates is preceded in death by his parents, Harvey H. and Phossie Willoughby Yates; two brothers, Bill Yates and his wife, Etta Mae, and Gaylord Yates; two sisters, Pauline Mote and her husband, Clyde, and Ruby Dell Yates.

Mr. Yates is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Juanita Harrison Yates; two daughters and son-in-law, Nancy Taylor of Tuscaloosa, Alabama and Joanne Barr and her husband, Sam of Vidalia, Georgia; his sister, Geraldine Stillwell of Lanett, Alabama; four grandchildren, Matt Barr and Ben Barr, both of Vidalia, Georgia, Kate Barr of Atlanta, Georgia, and McCall Wascher and her husband, Ricky, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; seven great grandchildren, Jessie and Chase Barr of Hazlehurst, Georgia, Maggie and Abby Barr of Vidalia, Ruby Carole, Bertie Lindsey and Olive Taylor all of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.