Joseph Lewis "J. Lewis" Yates, Jr., 80, of Clements, MD died February 22, 2009 in St. Mary's Nursing Center. Born July 21, 1928 in Leonardtown, MD he was the son of the late Joseph Lewis and Agnes Jeannette "Nettie" Tennyson Yates, Sr.

He was preceded in death by his wife Claudia Abell Guy Yates on September 28, 1995 in Leonardtown, MD, they were married on December 15, 1953 in the Leonardtown Courthouse.

He is survived by his children Frankie Merson, Dale Yates, Lewis Yates and Jenny Yates all of Clements, MD and Gene Merson of Leesburg, VA; siblings Jeannette Foley of N. Palm Beach, FL, John B. Yates, Donie Alvey, Georgia Mae Nelson and Winnie Kopacko all of Clements, MD and Linda Williams of Loveville, MD; twelve grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.

He was also preceded in death one daughter Lynn Burroughs and four siblings Jake Yates, Evelyn Clarke, Dale Yates and Thomas "Brent" Yates.

J. Lewis was a lifelong St. Mary's County resident where he graduated from Margaret Brent High School "Class of 1946". He worked as a farmer and part-time testing water samples for the St. Mary's County Health Department. He enjoyed gardening, farming, spending time with his family and grandchildren, playing poker and dancing with the Mrs.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, February 26, 2009 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, where Prayers will be said at 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 10:00 AM in St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Morganza, MD with Fr. Keith Woods officiating. Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be David Burroughs, Todd Merson, George Burroughs, Chris Yates, Timmy Yates and Mike Guy. Honorary Pallbearers will be all of his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, St. Mary's County Unit, P.O. Box 1032, Lexington Park, MD 20653 and/or 7th District Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 7, Avenue, MD 20609.

Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home.