Obituary for James Harold Yates
James Harold Yates (Jimmy, Jimbo, Jim) 52, of d ’Iberville was welcomed into his heavenly home on
Friday February 24, 2023.
Jimmy was born on February 6, 1971 and was a lifelong resident of d ’Iberville, as well as a graduate of
d”Iberville High School (DHS). In school, he was a member of the DHS marching band where he made
lifelong friendships. In his adult life, he worked as a food and beverage supervisor at Boomtown and
Scarlet Pearl Casino where he left a lasting impression on the lives of his customers and employees.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Rodney James Yates and Vickie Jean Clinton Yates; his brother,
Grant Edward Yates; maternal grandfather, Edward Harold Clinton; paternal grandparents, James Yates
and Gloria Yates Roland; and niece, Emma Sumrall.
He is survived by his grandmother, Tommie Jean Pierpoint Clinton and siblings, Tyler Yates, Sondra Yates
Boney (Chris) and Emily Clinton Sumrall (Daryl). Although Jimmy never had children of his own, he
impacted the lives of his nieces, nephews by always offering an ear or a word of advice and by spoiling
them with anything and everything Mickey Mouse related. He was full of kindness, confidence, and
charisma; he took pride in his work group and would often mentor many of the younger employees,
lending them advice and support. He was especially proud of his great niece and nephews: Olivia, Rayce
and Hunter; he loved being their Uncle “Bo”, and their visits would light up his world. He will be missed
by many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and family members.
His personality was one of a kind, touching everyone he encountered. His love was shown through his
ability to be completely honest but also love and encourage others through the most difficult situations.
Even through the toughest parts of his journey on Earth, his testimony was his optimism; in his eyes, his
glass was never half empty. One of his most significant events of his life was his Disney trip with his
family; he was like a kid at Christmas, insistent on living the “whole experience”. The other was the
honor of serving as a duke for Mardi Gras festivities, 2019.
The family would like to extend sincere appreciation to Dr. Olivia Hightower and staff, Dr. Navin Barot
and NP Richardson and staff and the staff of Back Bay Drugs for their compassion and the quality of care
they provided. Jimmy was a member of Bibleway Baptist Church, and we would like to thank his pastor,
Jeremy Clinton, and members of Bibleway Baptist Church for their love and support.
Jimmy was blessed with many friends who he loved dearly, a few of which the family would like to
acknowledge for their love, devotion, and friendship: Shellie Morris, Beth Yates and Vicki Elkins.
Services for James Yates will be held at 6631 Washington Ave., Ocean Springs, MS 39564 at Southern Mississippi Funeral Services Chapel on Wednesday March 1,2023. The family will welcome friends and family from 11:00am- 1:00pm visitation and 1:00pm service. Interment will follow at D'Iberville Memorial Park Cemetery. Southern Mississippi Funeral Services are honored to serve the Yates Family.
Friday February 24, 2023.
Jimmy was born on February 6, 1971 and was a lifelong resident of d ’Iberville, as well as a graduate of
d”Iberville High School (DHS). In school, he was a member of the DHS marching band where he made
lifelong friendships. In his adult life, he worked as a food and beverage supervisor at Boomtown and
Scarlet Pearl Casino where he left a lasting impression on the lives of his customers and employees.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Rodney James Yates and Vickie Jean Clinton Yates; his brother,
Grant Edward Yates; maternal grandfather, Edward Harold Clinton; paternal grandparents, James Yates
and Gloria Yates Roland; and niece, Emma Sumrall.
He is survived by his grandmother, Tommie Jean Pierpoint Clinton and siblings, Tyler Yates, Sondra Yates
Boney (Chris) and Emily Clinton Sumrall (Daryl). Although Jimmy never had children of his own, he
impacted the lives of his nieces, nephews by always offering an ear or a word of advice and by spoiling
them with anything and everything Mickey Mouse related. He was full of kindness, confidence, and
charisma; he took pride in his work group and would often mentor many of the younger employees,
lending them advice and support. He was especially proud of his great niece and nephews: Olivia, Rayce
and Hunter; he loved being their Uncle “Bo”, and their visits would light up his world. He will be missed
by many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and family members.
His personality was one of a kind, touching everyone he encountered. His love was shown through his
ability to be completely honest but also love and encourage others through the most difficult situations.
Even through the toughest parts of his journey on Earth, his testimony was his optimism; in his eyes, his
glass was never half empty. One of his most significant events of his life was his Disney trip with his
family; he was like a kid at Christmas, insistent on living the “whole experience”. The other was the
honor of serving as a duke for Mardi Gras festivities, 2019.
The family would like to extend sincere appreciation to Dr. Olivia Hightower and staff, Dr. Navin Barot
and NP Richardson and staff and the staff of Back Bay Drugs for their compassion and the quality of care
they provided. Jimmy was a member of Bibleway Baptist Church, and we would like to thank his pastor,
Jeremy Clinton, and members of Bibleway Baptist Church for their love and support.
Jimmy was blessed with many friends who he loved dearly, a few of which the family would like to
acknowledge for their love, devotion, and friendship: Shellie Morris, Beth Yates and Vicki Elkins.
Services for James Yates will be held at 6631 Washington Ave., Ocean Springs, MS 39564 at Southern Mississippi Funeral Services Chapel on Wednesday March 1,2023. The family will welcome friends and family from 11:00am- 1:00pm visitation and 1:00pm service. Interment will follow at D'Iberville Memorial Park Cemetery. Southern Mississippi Funeral Services are honored to serve the Yates Family.