Fitzhugh Yates Jr.

Fitzhugh Lee “Sonny” Yates Jr., 94, of Colonial Heights passed away on Sunday, May 9, 2021 at Southside Regional Medical Center.  Born March 21, 1927 in Akron, Ohio, he was the son of the late Fitzhugh Lee Yates Sr. and Nancy Mae Chism and was also preceded in death by his first wife, Elsie Cole Yates; daughter, Brenda Y. Walker; son, Bernard G. Yates and his sisters, Dorothy Schmidt, Frances Borg, June Simpson, and Betty Jean Lindsey.  Raised in Burkeville, Virginia, he served with honor in the United States Navy during WWII in the Pacific from 1944-1946 on the USS-Day Destroyer Escort. Sonny proudly served as a Deacon at Colonial Christian Church in Colonial Heights.  Sonny retired after 40 years of service from E.I. Dupont Shipping Department.  He is survived by his wife, Betty Dow Graves Yates; daughter, Bonnie Yates Ciejek; grandchildren, Erica Yates, Kevin D. Yates and Jason H. Reynolds; five great-grandchildren; sister, Louise Hunter; stepchildren, Thomas M. Graves, Robert P. Graves and Robin C. Graves.  A memorial service will be held 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 16, 2021 at Colonial Christian Church, 295 Dunlop Farms Boulevard, Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834.  Interment will be private.  The family will receive friends Sunday one hour prior to the service from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Colonial Christian Church. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory, 2033 Boulevard, Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.