Clarice Sims Bonner Yates

Clarice Sims Bonner Yates, 94, of Valdosta, went home to be with her Lord on Saturday, April 19, 2008. She was the first born child of the late Murray and Mollie Sims; born January 18, 1914 at home in Jackson County. Her family lived in Atlanta, Miami, FL and Malabar before moving to Valdosta in 1929. Her father was the owner and operator of Sims Dairy/Farm in southern Lowndes County. She graduated from Valdosta High School in 1934 and served as Assistant Manager of Kresses 5&10 Store in downtown Valdosta for 8 years. She married Jefferson McKay Bonner in 1942, became a homemaker, and had three children. Upon the sudden death of her husband in 1957, she took over his position as Lowndes County Coroner, finishing the last two years of his term. In 1960 she ran for office of Lowndes County Coroner and was elected for a 4-year term. In 1962 she married Truman "Tim" Yates, and they were married for 29 years until his death in 1991. Mrs. Yates was an active member of Lee Street Baptist Church in its earlier years, and is currently a devoted member of Crossroads Baptist Church. She was active in the Dorcus Sunday School Class Women's Missionary Union (WMU), and Keenagers Group until her declining health. Mrs. Yates designed and personally implemented all landscaping of her current Valdosta home built by her father in 1954. She was an avid baseball lover and loyal spectator/supporter of her grandchildren and their sports endeavors. She was a devoted and loving mother and grandmother.

She is survived by her daughter, Montine Foutz and husband, David of Valdosta; sons, John B. Bonner, Sr. and wife, Crisha of LaGrange, James W. Bonner and wife, Kathy of Valdosta; grandchildren, Kelly Paulk and husband, David of Valdosta, Keith Foutz and wife, Rachel of Highland, IN, Kami Pugh and husband, Clay of Gray, John Bonner, Jr. and wife, Corky of Valdosta, Dusty Bonner and wife, Danielle of Lexington, KY, Blake Bonner of Charlotte, NC and Ben Bonner of Valdosta; great grandchildren, David Paulk, Emily Paulk, Catherine Paulk, Kaitlyn Foutz, Kaleb Foutz, Kadyn Foutz, Kolton Foutz, Cayden Pugh, Parker Bonner and Cole Bonner. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Billie S. Sims of Valdosta; stepson, Walter Yates and wife, Thelma; nephews, Brad Sims and wife, Lyndal of Valdosta, Jack Sims and wife, Deby of Valdosta; several great-nieces and cousins. Mrs. Yates was preceded in death by her husbands, Jefferson M. Bonner and Truman "Tim" Yates; brothers, Murray A. Sims and John M. Sims and her sister-in-law, Polly W. Sims.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 in the chapel of Carson McLane Funeral Home with Dr. Ken Alford and Rev. David Paulk officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Condolences to the family may be conveyed on the obituary page at www.mclanefuneralservices.com Carson McLane Funeral Home.


Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602