Ova Lee Yates, 69, a lifelong resident of Cleveland, passed away Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011, at the family residence.

She was a member of Keith Street Church of God of Prophecy. She was retired from White Wing Publishing House.

She was the daughter of the late Clyde T. Clayton and Ruth Witt Clayton. She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Bobbie Berry and Mary Jo Wright.

Survivors include by husband, Leonard Yates of Cleveland; daughter, Joan Yates Harris and husband, Mikel Harris, of Cleveland; grandson, Clayton Harris of Cleveland; three brothers: Tom Clayton and wife, Glenda Clayton, of Cleveland, Jack Clayton and wife, Janice, of Spencer, and David Clayton of Crossville; brothers-in-law: Harold Berry of Milwaukee, Wis. and Lonnie Wright of Cleveland; special friend, Brenda Clayton of Spencer; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2011, at the Keith Street Church of God of Prophecy with the Rev. Ray C. Wynn and the Rev. John A. Stone officiating.

Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens with a white dove release ceremony concluding the service.

Bryan Wright, Jamie Taylor, Matt Clayton, Fred Berry, Dalmas Rigsby and Dennis Rigsby will serve as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 9 this evening at Ralph Buckner Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 7625 Hamilton Park Drive Suite 8, Chattanooga, TN 37421.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Yates family guest book at www.ralphbuckner.com.