OPELOUSAS – Mr. Harold Yates, Sr., affectionately known by his family and friends as “Big Man”, 70, entered eternal rest on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 at Ochsner Acadia General Hospital in Crowley, LA. He was a native of Napoleonville, LA and a resident of Eunice, LA.

A funeral service will be held on both Friday and Saturday (April 11 & 12, 2025). Funeral service on Friday, April 11, 2025 will be held at 11:00 a.m. at Greater True Light Baptist Church, 341 Anne St., Eunice, LA. The visitation will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Funeral service on Saturday, April 12, 2025 will be held at 11:00 a.m. at St. John Baptist Church, 3659 LA 1, Napoleonville, LA. The visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Mr. Yates’ memories are being cherished by: his companion, Deborah Rovaris of Eunice, LA; four sons, Harold (Chanera) Yates, Jr. of Houston, TX, Arthur Lawrence of New Orleans, LA, Wayne (Tyhecia) Rovaris of Zachary, LA and Alton (Shaquilla) Rovaris of Eunice, LA; four daughters, Arkesha Lawrence (Darrell) of Atlanta, GA, Coanna Lawrence (Diaron) of New Orleans, LA, Shantell Rovaris of Austin, TX and Latoya Rovaris of Houston, TX; four brothers, Nathaniel (Paulette) Yates, Jr., Ivory L. Yates, Anthony (Sandra) Watson and Charlie Watson, Jr., all of Napoleonville, LA; four sisters, Geraldine Watson, Lisa Watson, Florastine Thomas and JoAnna Watson, all of Napoleonville, LA; one uncle, Ronald Shaw of Donaldsonville, LA; three Godchildren; thirty-three grandchildren; one great grandchild; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by: his parents, Nathaniel Yates, Sr. and Corastine Watson; step father, Charlie Watson, Sr.; maternal grandparents, Matthew and Eliska Shaw; one sister, Annie Watson; uncle, Willie Shaw; five aunts, Lovenia Royal, Sarah Amos, Isabelle Tircuit, Ophelia Shaw and Eliska Jones; and one nephew, Lorenzo Yates.

Words of condolences may be expressed at fordandjosephfh.com

Ford and Joseph Funeral Home, 907 N. Market St., Opelousas, LA, (337) 942-6750, is in charge of arrangements.