Karen Annette Yates

Karen Annette Yates, 67, of Pittsboro and formerly of Durham, died neember 12, 2008 at the Laurels of Chatham. Karen was born ineeraldine, Alabama on May 6, 1941, a daughter of Ernest Emory Yates and Dicie Ellen Cates Yates. She graduated from Shorter College; lived in Durham, NC for 28 years where she worked in the Enviromental Safety and Hygiene field, retiring from Acurex Corp. Following her retirement, she returned to Tallapoosa, GA, where she taught Adult EducationeeD prep classes for Harralson Co., GA. She will be remembered for her intelligence and wit, love of gardening, her homemade bread and her love and care for her family and friends. Karen is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Heather and Jacob Hadley of Graham; son and daughter-in-law, Elliot and Debbie Caldwell of Atlanta, GA; granddaughter, Erin Hadley; sisters, Ola Wilson and Naomi Benefield both of Bowdon, GA, Linda Thompson of Tallapoosa, GA; 4 nieces, 1 nephew, and their children. A reception for family and friends to remember Karen's life will be held from 6:30 - 8:00 pm, Wednesday, neember 19, 2008 at Griffin Funeral Service, in Pittsboro. Online condolences may be made at: www.griffinfuneral.com, Select Obituaries. Memorial contributions may be directed to either the National Geographic Society, 1145 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036; or to Alzheimer's Research, Eastern NC Chapter, 400 Oberlin Rd, Ste 220, Raleigh NC 27605. Arrangements are under the care of Griffin Funeral Service, 396 West Street, Pittsboro, NC 27312.