August 30, 1931 – January 20, 2023
McLean — With profound sadness, we announce that our beloved mother, Irma Lee Parn Yates, of McLean, passed from this life to her heavenly home on Friday, January 20, 2023. Born in Pontiac, Irma was residing with family in Hendersonville, Tennessee, at the time of her death.
At the glorious age of 91, our mother’s spontaneous and irrepressible spirit continued to inspire a more thoughtful appreciation for life and all the things God has created for the benefit of humankind. Loving God’s people and looking out for one’s neighbor was more than a concept to her; instead, it was a way of life often practiced at the expense of her own comfort. Irma possessed a joy and laughter that filled our hearts until they overflowed with a boundless thirst for more. Her hilarious outlook showed us how to appreciate the little things in life and treasure friendships and family above the fleeting things of this world.
Irma’s love for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren knew no bounds. Her abiding faith in Christ, her determination to face every difficulty with persevering hope, and her unwavering courage in the good and bad of life are the legacies that will constantly live within our hearts. Our beloved mother will be greatly missed, but her life and memory will be forever cherished, causing us to praise our Heavenly Father that we were allowed to be in her presence, if only for a season.
Irma was born on August 30, 1931, to the late Harold and Anna M. Gerken Parn. She married her husband, Charles L. Yates, Jr., on June 18, 1949. He preceded her in death on April 6, 2010. Charlie and Irma were blessed with three children, Kenny L. (Jona Clayton Booth) Yates, Charlene A. (Larry) Cripps, and Debbie L. (Scott) Wilcox.
In addition to her children, six incredible grandchildren survive Irma: Angelea (Brian) Karr, Josh (Lesley) Baxter, Heather (Thomas) Miller, Theron (Brittany DeRiggi) Yates, Amanda Wilcox, and Drew (Jessica) Wilcox. Irma also enjoyed the blessings of nine wonderful great-grandchildren: Cambryn Karr, Colin Karr, Payden Miller, Brooklyn Miller, Kadyn Wilcox, Ava Wilcox, MaKenna Wilcox, Mason Baxter, and Evelyn Baxter. Irma is also survived by her sister, Janice Parn, and three brothers, Tony (Nena) Parn, Gary (Chris) Parn, and Niles (Susan) Parn.
Irma was preceded in death by her brother, Harold Parn, Jr., two sisters, Juanita Anderson and Carol Durfee, and one daughter-in-law, Bobbi Sue Yates.
Irma retired as an insurance agent for the Insurance Shop in Atlanta. She was a faithful member of Heyworth Faith Fellowship Church in Heyworth.
Funeral services for Irma will be held on Thursday, January 26, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Quiram-Peasley Funeral Home in Atlanta, with Reverend Chuck Brannock officiating. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a. m. until 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at the Roaches Chapel Cemetery in rural Mclean.
Memorials may be made at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Quiram-Peasley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
“Blessed are those who die in the Lord, for they shall rest from their painful labor under heaven, and their works shall follow them.” (Revelation 14:13 NLT).
