Norma Arlene Yates

March 22, 1934 - June 4, 2021

Norma Arlene (Sigler) Yates, 87, passed away peacefully on June 4, 2021. Norma was born on March 22, 1934 in Arden, Arkansas to Earl and Edna (Walden) Sigler. She graduated from Ashdown High School in Ashdown, Arkansas. She was active in National Honor Society and Journalism Club. Norma played four years on the Ashdown Pantherette basketball team and was a team Captain. In addition, she was a majorette and featured twirler. After graduation, she moved to Texarkana, Arkansas, where she went to Business College, worked as a telephone operator and played basketball for the Texarkana Oilerettes. She married William Leslie Yates on Dec. 21, 1952. After living in Arkansas for eight years, they lived in Brooksville and Arcadia, Florida and then moved to Bradenton, Florida in 1960. Norma worked as a secretary for Hardin-Lowery, the Hernando DeSoto Historical Society and Manatee High School. They both retired from Manatee High School in 1989 and spent many years traveling and cruising. She was a member of Palma Sola Presbyterian Church, Palma Sola Bay Yacht Club and several bridge clubs. She is predeceased by her parents, her husband and her daughter, Dianna Yates Speas. She is survived by her son, William Leslie Yates, Jr.; sister, Earlene Warrick; son-in-law, Randy Speas; granddaughters, Christy Speas Shivers, Ashley Speas Biddy, Heather Speas, Courtney Speas Gray; grandson, Kevin Yates; granddaughters, Allison Yates Sikes, Lindsey Yates Anderle and niece, Lana Warrick Coogan. She also had 11 great grand children, Roman Yates, Valorie Yates, Caroline Yates, Zoe Yates, Nolan Sikes, Kahra Anderle, William Shivers, Olivia Shivers, Jude Smith, Kennedy Gray and Kannon Gray. A visitation will be held from 5-7PM, Monday, June 7, 2021 at Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd St. W., Bradenton, Florida. Funeral Visitation will be at 11AM with Services to follow at 12PM, Saturday, June 12, 2021 at First United Methodist Church, 220 N. Bell St., Foreman, Arkansas. Burial will follow at Arden Cemetery in Arden, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the following: Dianna Yates Speas Memorial Scholarship, Les Yates Emerging Leader Scholarship, Checks payable to: Alumni Fund, PO Box 861928, Tuscaloosa, AL 35486. Condolences may be made to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com