Edna (Hicks) Yates, 94, of Butner, NC, passed away peacefully on April 5, 2022 at home surrounded by family. She was born on October 18, 1927 in Franklinton, NC. She was predeceased by her parents William Herman Hicks and Elizabeth Currin Hicks, sister Margaret Hicks Dickerson, and brother William Edward Hicks.

Edna excelled academically, and earned the designation of salutatorian in her senior year of high school. Because her family needed her assistance with their home farm, she was unable to attend college. But she kept her bright and inquisitive mind active always by remaining an avid reader and perpetual student at heart.

Edna was part of the Greatest Generation and worked at Camp Butner, NC during World War II. It was there that she met her future husband, Claxton Hubert Yates. They were married on March 19, 1946 in Lineville, AL and enjoyed a strong and loving 65-year union, until Claxton’s passing in 2011.

In 1958, after living in Georgia for 10 years, Edna and Claxton moved their family of five up to Butner, NC, where she was employed with the state for 30 years as an occupational counselor at Murdoch Developmental Center. Upon retirement, she enjoyed reading, exercising, traveling, and weekly shopping trips to Raleigh and Durham (especially Whole Foods!); but most of all, doting on her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Edna was a member of First Baptist Church of Butner and the Women’s Prayer Group. She was selfless, had a deep faith and love for God and reading the scriptures. She possessed a genuine level of sincerity that was readily apparent to anyone who crossed her path. She truly walked with the love of God and was an encourager to others. She was kind, wise, hardworking, the perfect combination of sweetness + strength, and beautiful from the inside out. And while she possessed the attributes of a quintessential Southern lady, she was also refreshingly open-minded, forward-thinking and independent, particularly for her time.

Edna was a master homemaker and organizer, and up until just a few years ago, baked her famous homemade pound cake weekly for any and all visitors to enjoy. Every holiday at “Grandmother and Paw-Paw’s” house, especially Easter egg hunts and Christmas Eve sing-alongs, were the best! She was exceedingly generous and regularly mailed birthday cards a couple of weeks in advance, so that the recipient’s special day felt extended. She was one of those rare individuals who, no matter the circumstances, always seemed to know the right thing to do or say, and was well-known for her pearls of wisdom such as, “Always be kind, because you never know what someone else is going through.”

The way Edna lived her life serves as the gold standard in the eyes of her family and friends. And ironically, due to her deep sense of humility, it is unlikely she was aware of the vast number of lives she touched or of the amazing footprint she leaves behind.

Edna is survived and adored by her special sister Dot Hicks Love of Butner, son Michael Claxton Yates (Cindy) of Raleigh, daughter Elaine Yates Woodlief (Terry) of Raleigh, daughter Vickie Yates Allen (Ellie Ray) of Creedmoor, and lifelong friend Marie Smith of Yountville, CA. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, their respective spouses, four great-grandchildren, as well as a multitude of nieces and nephews, all of whom think she hung the moon.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt, special thank you to the wonderful group of caregivers who provided loving assistance to her during recent months.

Please join us as we celebrate Edna’s life on Thursday, April 21, 2022 at First Baptist Church in Butner. Visitation will begin at 1:00pm, with a memorial service following at 2:00pm in the church sanctuary.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to First Baptist Church of Butner Building Fund, PO Box 44, 200 West D Street, Butner, NC 27509.