Pastor June C. Yates

April 3, 1935 - January 11, 2020

The Life and Legacy of Pastor June Celovia Yates A Mother, Grandmother, Great grandmother, Great–Great Grandmother, Evangelist, Elder, Pastor, Counselor, and Advocate, made her heavenly transition on Saturday, January 11, 2020, in the comfort of her home surrounded by loved ones. Pastor Yates was born, April 3, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois, a daughter of the late Paul Tillman and Katherine Tillman Morgan. Pastor Yates completed her education in Chicago and gained employment with A&P Tea Company. Upon leaving there Pastor Yates was employed with the University Of Illinois Hospital where she retired after 24 years and moved to Bowling Green in, 1994. Pastor Yates accepted the Lord into her life at the age of 11. In, 1980 there was a hunger and thirst inside of Pastor Yates and in 1983, she became a member of Faith Temple COGIC in Chicago. Pastor Yates took courses at the COGIC Mason Bible College. This helped in preparing her to volunteer as a Chaplain at local hospitals, become a member of the Home and Foreign Mission Ministries, Prison Ministry, Nursing Home Ministry, Clothing and Food Distribution and Door to Door Street Ministry. Pastor Yates learned a lot about Missions and Evangelism, as she was called into the ministry in 1986. Pastor Yates was the founder of Smile Outreach Mission where she took the youth to visit those in hospitals and nursing homes. In, 1999, under the guidance of Bishop John Kersey, Pastor Yates was ordained and became the Pastor of Sweet Holy Spirit Holiness Church. Pastor Yates has nourished many sons and daughters naturally and spiritually. Her memories will forever remain in their hearts. Pastor Yates was predeceased along with her parents by her, husband, Troy Yates; and daughter, Lenee Tillman. To cherish the memories of Pastor Yates she leaves her children, Dr. Carolyn (Bryan) Foster, Chaplain Marsha Clarke, Cedric Jones, Theodora (Vince) Martin, and Karen Hammond; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; brother, Julius Tillman; sister, Mary Pearson; her spiritual and church family and friends. Sincerely, -Your friends at Burnam and Son