Louis Yates Obituary

Louis Julienne Yates, known as "Jigger" to family and friends, passed away on July 15, 2025. Jigger was born February 12, 1923, in Roseland, MS., to Jerome B. Yates, Sr. and Ada Hutchison Yates. The Yates family moved to Hazlehurst, MS. when Jigger was a very young boy. He graduated from Hazlehurst High School in 1941. He attended Copiah-Lincoln Jr. College in 1942 where he was a football standout. The name "Jigger" was earned because of his ability to elude tacklers and shifty footwork.
Jigger joined the Army in 1942. While in the Army he attended George Washington University and numerous military schools. Jigger served for four years from 1942-1946 in the 102nd Infantry Division in several European countries during World War II. After he was released from the Army, he returned to Hazlehurst and married the love of his life, Helen Thompson, on April 5, 1946. They were married for 59 years.
Jigger began his career with the Hazlehurst Box Company where he worked for thirty years. After this he worked at Royal Maid, Inc. He served in executive positions at both companies.
Jigger enjoyed many outside interests including running, playing tennis, and most of all training his quail-hunting birddogs. He and Helen loved to host parties at their home featuring his famous barbeque chicken or grilled ham steaks with pineapple.
Jigger and Helen were very active members of First Baptist Church in Hazlehurst where they both served their Lord, the church, and their community.
Jigger is preceded in death by his wife, Helen; his parents, Jerome B. Yates, Sr. and Ada Hutchison Yates; his four brothers, Lt. Fount Yates; Lt. Jerome B. Yates (lost and missing in action); Pvt. Jere N. Yates (killed in action in France); and Jack Yates. He is also preceded in death by two nieces, Sherry Womack and Mary Claire Odom.
Jigger is survived by his nephew, Jere Yates (Jenny), his nieces Polly Gale (Joe), Missie Odom (Mike), and Ann Hart. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, May Ann Yates, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A special thanks to Drs. Fred and Preston McDonnell, Arden Hospice, staff at Copiah County Medical Center, neighbor Mark Scruggs, and Doris Washington who helped care for Jigger for the last several years.
Services will be held on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at Stringer Family Funeral Home in Hazlehurst. Visitation will begin at 10am and service at 11am with graveside to follow.
In lieu of flowers the family request donations to be made to: Radically Against Dystrophy, 452 Greenwood Lane, Ridgeland, MS., 39157 or Breakthrough T1D (Diabetes), P. O. Box 5042, Hagerstown, MD., 21741-5042.