Mary Magdaline Yates

Mary Magdaline Yates passed away peacefully on January 13, 2026, just days shy of her 88th birthday. Born on January 18, 1938, to the late Jessie James Smith and Flossie Norton Smith, Mary lived a life defined by her unwavering faith and her deep, unconditional love for her family.

Mary was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. Her heart was a home to many, and she dedicated her days to loving her family and living for her Lord Jesus Christ. Her legacy of faith and family bonds will continue to live on through the five generations she so proudly nurtured.

She is survived by her loving spouse, David Yates of whom she was married for 20 years. He and Mary had a wonderful life together and she will be missed dearly. David's 5 children loved and cherished her as if they were her own.

Her memory will be forever cherished by her surviving children: Kathy Frazier, Vicky Lynn Walters, Brenda Gail Ayers, William Thomas Walters (and his wife Lisa), Tony Walters, and Elizabeth Ann Coomer (and her husband David). She is also survived by her siblings, Edna McDonald and Charles Smith.

Mary leaves behind a tremendous legacy of love, including 14 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, and 21 great-great-grandchildren:

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Jessie James and Flossie Smith; her previous spouse, the father of her children Thomas Dexter Walters; her daughter, and son-in-law Ronald E. Frazier; her son, Michael Walters; her grandson, Gene Cruthis; and her great-granddaughter, Brianna Shirah.

She also joins her siblings who passed before her: Eugene Smith, Janie Bonnett, Flora Dell Radford, Trudy English, James Ralph Smith, Monroe Smith, Everette Smith and Jessie James Smith, Jr.

Mary was a true matriarch who was devoted to her family above all else. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

The funeral service will be held on Monday, January 19, 2026 at 1:00 PM at Life’s Journey Church (874 Greenwood Road, Sanford, NC) with Pastor John David Coomer officiating. 

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