Vernon Lee “Butch” Yellott Sr. passed from this life on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, at the age of 95 at his residence in Ragley. The last breath he drew on this earth, God reached down, took his hand, and with a smile on Butch’s face, he touched the hand of God who welcomed him home.
Butch was born on Apr. 21, 1928, to Andrew Jackson Yellott and Bessie Bell Wood Yellott in DeQuincy. He worshiped with his family and friends at Four Corners Pentecostal Church in Ragley. A true Christian Soldier who would lead the Lord’s Prayer before Sunday School and was not ashamed to carry the Christian Flag down the church isle to the song “Onward Christian Soldier”. At a young age Butch learned the value of loving God, caring for others, and working hard for his family. It was normal for Butch, as a young child, to deliver milk, ride his bike from school during lunch to his grandparent’s home to help with his grandfather and then ride back to finish his school day. Butch was a kind and caring man who would buy a bag of groceries if you were ill or without work, give you flowers that were picked wild from a roadside, or take the time to write a card to others in need. He loved all his children, but when asked whom he loved the most, he would answer “The one that needs me the most”.
Butch worked for the Union Pacific Railroad for four years, hired from a 2-man training program to burn the weeds sometimes covering 20 miles in one day. He then worked for Magnolia Oil as a Roughneck and Derrickhand. He was injured while working and told he may never walk again, but Butch rehabilitated himself went to Sowela Technical College and studied to be a draftsman and in 1961, went to work at Livingston Shipyard. In 1966 he received his Building Trades Book with Pipefitter’s Local 195 and on Oct. 26, 2016, was given his 50-year award.
With this beautiful life has come death, and Butch will be reunited with his wife of 57 years Nelda Rue Baggett Yellott; mother, Bessie Bell Wood Yellott; father, Andrew Jackson Yellott; and sisters, Betty Yellott LaCroix and Gwendolyn Yellott Pitre.
Butch is survived by two daughters, Brenda Eddins and husband, Ronnie of Ragley, Liza Nell Yellott and husband, John Wagner of Houston, Texas; two sons, Vernon Yellott Jr and wife, Tanda of Ragley, and Gregg Yellott of DeQuincy; 10 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Gregg Yellott, Kirk Yellott, Jonathan Haley, John Wagner, Kiley Haley, and Bentley Eddins. Honorary pallbearer was Toby Yellott.
The family received friends from 12 p.m. until time of the funeral service at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18, at Four Corners Pentecostal Church, 891 S Cooley Rd, DeQuincy. Officiating were Rev. M’lissa A. Haley and Mr. Kiley Haley. Interment followed at Alston Cemetery in Ragley.
Arrangements were handled by Riley Smith & Sons Funeral Home, 1810 W. Fourth St., DeQuincy.
(Paid Memorial)
