Donald Pitt Yates

Dr. Donald Pitt Yates, 80, a resident of Cleveland and former superintendent of Cleveland City Schools passed away Sunday, July 19, 2009 with his family and friends by his side. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving at Fort Jackson, SC, during 1951-1953, where he served as an instructor in the Third Army Leadership School. He was a life-long Methodist, serving the church diligently throughout his life,. He was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church of Cleveland since 1967 where he served many years as class president of the St. Andrews Sunday School Class. He was born in Robertson County, TN, reared in Cross Plains and graduated in 1947 from Cross Plains High School. He attended Martin Methodist Junior College in Pulaski and the University of of Chattanooga where he received his B.S. Degree in Education. In recognition of his basketball career at Martin and UC, he was inducted into the Martin Methodist College Sports Hall of Fame in 1996. Later graduating from George Peabody College in 1952 with a M.A. Degree and again in 1954 with an Educational Specialist Degree. Dr. Yates began his teaching career at Harriman City Schools where he taught Science and Social Studies as well as coached high school basketball, baseball and junior high football. He served as principal of the elementary and high school in Rockwood from 1956-1961 and as Superintendent of Schools in Rockwood, TN from 1961-1966. He was a consultant in the School Planning Laboratory at the University of Tennessee for two years, 1966-1968, while completing his Doctor of Education Degree. He began his long tenure as Superintendent of Cleveland City Schools, extending for 26 years, from 1968-1993. In 1989 he was chosen as “Tennessee Superintendent of the Year”. In 1993, the city of Cleveland named a new school in his honor, the Donald P. Yates Primary School. He was recognized in 2007 by the Cleveland Lions Club for 50 years of loyal and dedicated service. He was the son of the late, William Herman and Azzie Lee Pitt Yates. He was preceded in death along with his parents, brothers: Herman Yates, Jr. and Robert Yates; sisters, Launa Overby and Roberta Jones and infant son, Donald Phillip Yates. He is survived by his beloved wife, Elsie Arnold Yates of Cleveland and a native of Waverly, TN; loving daughter, Donna Elaine Yates Brown of Hershey, PA; three special grandchildren: Rebecca Elise Brown of Knoxville, Jonathan Yates Brown and Caroline Rose Brown both of Hershey, PA; brother, Jerry L. Yates and wife, Ruth Ann Yates of Kingsport; sisters-in-law, Jean Travis of Waverly, Edna Yates of Gallatin and Betty Yates of White House. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at First United Methodist Church with the Reverend Andrew Henry and the Reverend Leann Crandall officiating. Interment will be at 2:00 p.m. C.D.T. on Thursday in Cross Plains United Methodist Church Cemetery in Cross Plains, TN. The St. Andrews Sunday School Class Members and the Evening Lions Club Members will serve as honorary pallbearers. His family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at Ralph Buckner Funeral Home in Cleveland and from 1-2 p.m. Wednesday at the church. Thursday July 22, 2009 the family will receive friends at Cross Plains United Methodist Church in Cross Plains, TN from 1-2 p.m. C.D.T prior to the graveside service. Donations of love may be made to the First United Methodist Church Building Fund, 3425 Ocoee St., Cleveland, TN 37312.