Coeburn, Virginia                                                    November 5, 2023

The world lost the most loving selfless woman after a short-term illness on November 4, 2023,

one week shy of her 94th birthday. Marie Dotson Yates was born November 11, 1929, on Caney

Ridge. She was the last surviving member of the Dotson family. Her deceased parents were,

Frank and Martha Dotson. Deceased husband Avery Yates. She had 8 siblings. Preceded in

death Edith Stallard, Russell Dotson, Richard Dotson, Josephine Mullins, Emma Jean Felty,

Georgia Hamilton, Mary (infant) and Melissa (infant) Dotson. Stepdaughter Shirley Yates

Braswell, granddaughter Janet Yates Pearson and two daughters in law Karen Robinson Yates

and Lois French Yates.

Surviving are her 9 children. Ronnie, Anthony (Karen), Larry, Jeff (Angeal), Phil (Landall), Kevin

(Robin), Lisa, Amy (Bernard) and Paul. A special honorary daughter, Carol Rasnick.

Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren are too numerous to list. 22 grandchildren and 27 great

grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren on the way. A host of nieces and nephews, two special

nieces Claudie and Patty who unselfishly gave of their time to help take care of our mother,

during her recent illness.

She regularly attended Meade's Chapel. She was a member of the Sandy Ridge Fire Dept.

Ladies Auxiliary. She enjoyed outings with the Mountain Empire Older Citizens. Mom's spiritual

gift of mercy was well known. She loved visiting relatives and friends. She cultivated

relationships that lasted from her childhood to the grave. She was an avid gardener. One could

only guess the amount of food that was canned and frozen in her little kitchen on Sandy Ridge.

Her abundant garden harvests and beautiful flowers were enjoyed by her whole family. There

was always food on the table and fresh flowers from her garden.

Our mother loved being a mother. She not only raised her own children but was very involved in

helping raise most of her grandchildren. She was happiest with a baby in her arms. To know our

mother, was to love our mother. There are many special friends and extended family whom she

held dear in her heart. She will be missed by all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, you may donate to Wise County Christian School, PO Box 3297, Wise, Va

24293. The school receives no federal or state funding. Six of her great grandchildren attend

school there.

Proverbs 31:25-31 Strength and honor are her clothing, and she will rejoice in time to come.

She opens her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the teaching of kindness. She looks

well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up

and call her blessed; Many daughters have done virtuously, but you excel them all. Charm is

deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of

the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Visitation will be Tuesday, November 7, 2023, 11 A.M. to 1 P.M. at the Sturgill Funeral Home 310 6th Street NW Coeburn, VA. Funeral Service will follow in the funeral home chapel with Greg Rose and Pastor Jack Meade officiating. A burial will follow in the Greenwood Acres Cemetery Coeburn, Virginia. Please visit www.sturgillfuneral.com to sign guest register book online.

Pallbearers: Tyler Courtney, Ben Yates, Chris Yates, Scotty Yates, Brandon Meade, and Jason

Matlock. Sturgill Funeral Homes 310 6th Street NW Coeburn, Virginia 24230 in charge of arrangements.