I think of you often…..sweet heavenly rest my friend.❤️

Happy Heavenly Birthday Yo!!

Hey Yo!

I can remember celebrating your 50th birthday at the Metropolitan Ball room and thinking how classy is this lady! I knew you from afar then and was so blessed to get to know you as my sister. I love you and I miss your ever so calming spirit. Happy Birthday Yo! 

Lori

Happy Heavenly Birthday Yo!! ❤️

Thinking of You, Yolande. Your going home celebration at Como last summer was amazing. Can't imagine all the love you're receiving and spreading in Heaven. Memories of you are a blessing.

Missing you my friend.

Yolande's beautiful friendly smile, that would light up any room, will surely be missed here on earth! I know one day I will see you again dear high school friend. Our St. Paul Central high school days cheerleading "Go Minutemen". So blessed our paths crossed in this life. Prayers and hugs to family and friends for your loss...

Dear Yolande,
I have so many fond memories of afternoons spent with you. I miss you terribly. Thank you for the gift of you. Always authentic, always loving, forever treasured. Love you my friend.
Debbie

Happy Birthday (one day late) to my "Birthday Twin". Hope you're celebrating with wings outstretched!

I think of Yolande often. Although we had met many times through the years, we finally got a chance to work together in the Jazz Women All Stars. She was a delight to listen to. Her edgy R & B chops to her fabulous ability to scat sing like nobody's business, and her greatest gift, flashing that smile and winning over an audience. It was magical watching her and listening to her.  Thinking of you dear heart, on your birthday and always.

Hey Yo. As I think about spring, I think about going to church, theater, a jazz venue or park to hear you sing and see your smile. I imagine you chatting with my sister and meeting my late husband, and of course seeing your mom, as well as, many others in heaven. I know one day we will meet again. Tell God and Jesus I am working on me and serving. Tell my family, not mentioned here, they are missed. Rest in paradise.

Happy birthday Yo! I remember the last birthday present I bought you - a t-shirt you liked. I absentmindedly shipped it to me instead of you and, holding true to the sister legacy, didn't mail it until the next birthday. I think it was always a surprise if any one of us got something "on time" but we never thought anything of it. It was what it was. I love you, big sis!

I still can not believe Yo is gone. Yo was a shining light in any room she entered. There are no words that can describe the loss. My prayers are with Miles, Brooke, Leslie, Tommy and the rest of the family. I hope there is comfort in knowing Yo was loved by many and lived her life to the fullest doing what she loved. Although gone way too soon, and she is missed dearly. GOD has gained another angelic choir member. Peace and Blessings Always in our hearts Love Erika and Greta Keaton

Yo was truly a community big sister, auntie, big momma, and friend. She enjoyed her life and used her God-given gifts every day. I was always amazed at how much energy she had before shows, after sets and in between while greeting her audiences. Every time she talked about her son Miles, she cried. She was a proud momma bear and couldn't hide her love and gratitude for bearing such wonderful fruit. We were blessed to have her in our extended family and we will always set a spiritual place for her at our family cookouts. RIH Yo.

Yo-Small was an amazingly talented, generous, kind and loving person. I am so grateful to have known her and had the chance to spend so much time with her during my last visit to MN. She left a legacy of music, joy, laughter and beautiful memories - along with one of the most mature, talented, kind and loving sons anyone could wish for. Yo lives on in Miles and in the memories that bring a smile to each of us - she will never be forgotten.
Rest easy, wear your sparkly shoes every day and keep singing as only you know how Yo-Small - we hear you every time we think of you....and that is often.
Until we meet again,
Yo-Tall

Our deep felt condolences to you Miles, your uncles, and the entire family. We were next door neighbors and grew up together — we loved us some Roberta and Yolanda was like another sister. I saw her a couple years back here in Los Angeles — she was beautiful as ever and we had a lovely time eating and laughing. She is now safe in God’s loving arms . Rest easy YoYo.

Yolande was a beautiful spirit and a breath of fresh air! One Sunday while directing the choir, she famously reached up and shifted her hair back into place! It took all we had to keep singing and not fall out laughing! I will always remember her laugh, facial expressions and sense of humor. We had some great times when she hung out with my family. She and my Mom both cut up and adored each other ❤️. Obviously God blessed her with a beautiful voice and it was such a joy to see how she used that awesome gift. You don’t have to look any further than Miles to see that she was an amazing Mom that raised an amazing son. Keeping Miles, Leslie, Brooke and all of those dear to Yolande in prayer....

Miles, this tribute site is so awesome. Thank You. On behalf of the Rondo Community’s extended Walker Hill Parks Family: Heartfelt condolences on the passing of your Mother; with extended condolences to all family members.

My sister, Mary Ann got to talk with Yolande earlier this year and I feel blessed by proxy. Rondo memory: Our families lived on Iglehart St., across from each other. Yolande and I used to play together with our ‘troll’ dolls in the mid1960s. We made them clothes and spruced up shoeboxes and cardboard boxes to build troll ‘mansions’ – with paper steps and scribbled curtains and picture frames on the walls. I remember playing and sitting in the staircase over at her house/duplex, making up troll stories. Will forever cherish our laughter and innocence playing make believe; and outside antics playing 2 and 4 square, Red Rover, jacks, hop-scotch, and getting candy from Mr. Toussaint when he drove down the street.

After 30+ yrs living in Alaska, I returned abt 11 years ago and saw Yolande perform/emcee at Selby Jazz Fest, Penumbra, and I think, TwinCities JazzFest. She graciously sang at my parents going home celebrations at St. James AME (2010 & 2012). Saw her perform at Crooners twice in 2019, one of which was on my wedding anniversary. Got a chance to hug, reminisce, and say, “Hey Yo, love you.”

Thank You for gifting us this space to continue basking in Yolande’s light. May you go well, always.

Yolande brought such grace, fire and humor to her portrayal of Mamie Warren in the Full Circle/Guthrie Theater production of Under This Roof. I will always carry deep gratitude that she chose to partner with my words and breathe life into them in her first dramatic straight play.

Yo - borrowing from Raymond to Mamie: "... dumb struck in the presence of a miracle ... I got to pray for wings 'cuz angels got their arms round ya ..."

Yolanda, you warmed us like the sun.

Yolande was such a Beautiful Songbird with a beautiful spirit inside and out.
I love our Sunday dinners after church and discussing
everything under the sun even our shoe game
Miles you are truly a blessing and may God continue to guide and watch over you.

RIH Songbird

Such a beautiful spirit.. now she is your eternal angel walking with you everyday...

Colossians 1:11

May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, may peace be with you always. Lean on others for strength. Pray when it hurts.. stay focused on the kingdom of god.. that is where her soul is resting... be well

So hard hearing this news and being so far away. She and I were friends before neighbors, we were co-workers and during my five years of teaching "Savings and Financial Literacy", she enrolled in my class. During that time, I conducted one-on-one budget counselling with her. Since she and I worked in the same building downtown St. Paul, she'd always say "Vette, I wanna know how to save and plan for my retirement" "just tell me how you're doing this" in order that you'll be able to retire so young"? My heart hurts for Miles and her fam. However I know she's in a far better space now. She was kind n sweet. This is my memory of her not to mention her beautiful voice just like her Mom. Rest easy sis

I knew Yolande much of my life. Music was ministry to Yolande. I am forever grateful to Yolande for her contribution to directing a choir, "Rance Majestic Choir", I sang in, and a choir, "Spirit of Christ", my daughters sang in, back in the day at Pilgrim Baptist Church. Yolande used her "God given" talent to make sure we hit the right notes while ministering to those listening. I also loved to see Yolande perform (sing and act) in theaters, dinner clubs, outdoor arenas and more. Yolande had a kind and giving spirit. I will miss Yolande. RIP

I will always remember Yolande's fabulous singing and joyful persona. My fondest memories of her include when I subbed for Connie years ago (Moore by Four). Yo was literally keeping a constant eye on me to make sure I had everything I needed; from entrances and notes, to dance steps. I was pretty nervous about the show and so thrilled to be subbing in that band. She made me feel right at home from the beginning of the journey. I also learned some great "tricks" for my choir from Yolande. I'm grateful that we had a few chances to share the stage and the greenroom. Holding Yolande's family and countless friends/colleagues in my heart.