Karla Smithhart Yates

Memorial services for Karla Smithhart Yates, 52, of Lufkin will be held Wednesday, October 20, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. in the First United Methodist Church of Lufkin with Reverend H. Michael Tyson II officiating. A reception will follow in the Youth and Worship Center. Private family graveside services will be held prior to the service in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park.

Mrs. Yates was born October 20, 1957 in Lufkin, Texas to Margaret (Squyres) and Claude Smithhart, and died Sunday, October 17, 2010 in a Houston hospital, after a sudden cerebral brain hemorrhage.

Mrs. Yates was a lifetime resident of Lufkin and was co-owner of Yates Media. She was a charter member of the Lufkin High School Alumni Association, where she was the first Director of Development, and a member of the alumni board. In 1999, she was the second Coming Home Queen of the Alumni Association. Mrs. Yates was also a member of the Junior League of Lufkin and Pride Providers. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Lufkin and the Praise Ladies' Sunday school class.

Survivors include her husband, Stephen Yates of Lufkin; daughters, Amy and Abby Yates, both of Lufkin; father, Claude Smithhart of Lufkin; brother and sister-in-law, Kevin and Dana Smithhart of Lufkin; brother-in-law, Darrell Yates, Jr. of Houston and sister-in-law, Sheryl Uresti of San Antonio; and a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Margaret Smithhart.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Karla Yates Scholarship Fund, c/o Lufkin High School Alumni Association, P.O. Box 150837, Lufkin, Texas 75915.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.