John Richard Yelverton

Obituary For John Richard Yelverton

God said, “John it’s time to come home.” John accepted his health issues, fought the battle, stood as a soldier, and paid the price on February 5, 2022, at Westchester Manor Rehabilitation Center, High Point, NC. John Richard Yelverton, the youngest of five children, was born in Wayne County, NC on November 24, 1950, a son of the late Isaac Lloyd Yelverton and Rosa Mae Reid Yelverton. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Roosevelt (Ike) Yelverton, and sister, Rosa Lee Yelverton Sherrod.

Raised in Fremont, NC, John attended the Wayne County Public School System, graduating from Norwayne High School in Fremont NC, Class of 1969. He was a faithful church goer at Hooks Grove Baptist Church in Pikeville, NC. As a young adult, John moved to New York City and was employed with a publishing company. John was drafted to serve an enlistment in the United States Army Reserve, where he took his training at Fort Jackson Army Base in Columbia SC from 1970-1972, receiving an honorable discharge. John later worked with the New York City Blood Center, delivering blood to all hospitals in the Metropolitan area. On a sunny day in 1978, he met a young lady by the name of Mae R. Briley. Later, he became a driver of an eighteen-wheeler working for Nick Pennachio Co., Inc. Trucking Company, delivering food to schools, hospitals, and colleges for many years. John and Mae reunited in 1986, and were united in marriage on April 10, 1993, by the Rev. Michael Press, in Macedonia Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, NY In 2005, John and Mae relocated to Mae’s place of birth, High Point, NC, where John drove trucks for Penske Truck Rental for 5 years.

In the early 1990’s, John followed in his father’s footsteps by joining the Masonic Lodge and reached the degree of 32nd Degree Freemasonry. As a 32nd Degree Freemason, John found an untold wealth of knowledge. John enjoyed his life entertaining with his family and friends. John’s grandchildren called him ‘Daddy’, and his great grandchildren called him ‘Pa-Pa’. John was an avid car lover; he loved to cook and grill. His favorite cuisine was soul food, crab legs, Pepsi, and coconut cake. John loved music, his favorite music genre being “Liquor House Music and Blues.” He was ‘one-of-a-kind’; very smart, insightful, and observant - NOTHING got past him. He was truly loved and will be solemnly missed.

He leaves to cherish his lovely memories to his wife, Mae R. Yelverton; a daughter, Natasha Nelson of High Point, NC; a son, Corey Craig of Queens, NY; one stepson, Cordarryl Nelson of Detroit, MI; two grandchildren, Tapanga Young and BIyss Eanes (nicknamed ‘Grandma’ by John) of Greensboro, NC; two great-grandchildren that he cherished more than anything, Johnny Whitted, Jr., and Denim Cotton of Greensboro, NC; two sisters, Mildred Yelverton Willis of Fremont, NC, and Bernice Yelverton of Bronx, NY; four sisters-in-law, Laverne Graham, Don Thomas, Veronica Jenkins (Dennis), and Teresa Reddick (John); three brothers-in-law, Harold Briley, Henry Briley, and Tommy Briley (Henrietta); a special nephew, John Reddick Jr. of High Point, NC; and a host of nieces, nephews other beloved relatives, and friends.

Funeral service will be held Saturday, February 19, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Stevens Funeral Home, Wilson, NC. The family will receive friends at the chapel from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Turners Swamp Church Cemetery.

Final arrangements are entrusted to Phillips Funeral Service and Stevens Funeral Home.