KILMARNOCK—George William Yeatman, 79, of Kilmarnock passed away peacefully on Friday, August 20, 2021, surrounded by family and his beloved dog, Willie.
He is survived by his mother, LueVennia Yeatman Courtney; three daughters and their spouses, Frances Doyle (Cabell), Karen Bryant (Bob) and Carrie Stettinius (Gordon); his brother, Ryland Yeatman and Ryland’s daughter Machelle; his grandchildren, Chase, Maddie, Hayden, Travis, Trevor, Walker, Waverly and Hazel; his former wife, Martha, and her husband, Jim Johnson; and his friend and amazing caretaker, Dianne Owens.
George grew up in Lyells, was a 1961 graduate of Washington and Lee High School and a 1964 graduate of Shenandoah Conservatory of Music, where he received a degree in music education, was a member of Delta Psi Omega fraternity, and editor in chief of the yearbook. In addition, he attended graduate school for theater at the University of Richmond. He shared his talent and love of music and theater with others during his entire life.
As a music teacher, he started the band program in Lancaster County and encouraged countless students to pursue their musical talent. He played keyboard in a local band, served on the Rappahannock Foundation for the Arts, formed and conducted a local madrigal choral group and directed plays and musicals for many years with the Lancaster Players.
After teaching high school, he owned and operated Yeatman’s Greenhouse, Florist and Nursery, and sold real estate. He particularly enjoyed showing off properties in the beautiful Northern Neck and serving on the ethics board of the Northern Neck Association of Realtors.
His most gratifying work, however, was as music director at Grace Episcopal Church, Kilmarnock, for over 30 years until his retirement in 2015. At Grace, he also served on the Vestry, chaired the restoration and historic designation of the Chapel, and was instrumental in the creation of the Memorial Garden, where his ashes will be interred. Never quite able to fully retire from teaching, George was a sought-after substitute teacher primarily at Lancaster Middle School until this past year.
George will be remembered for his boundless adoration of his children and grandchildren, spontaneous poetry recitations, piano playing, inexplicable devotion to the New England Patriots, entertaining stories of growing up on a farm, sensible advice, no-mercy Monopoly, checkers and backgammon gameplay, uncomfortably loud hymn singing, Jim Beam on ice with a splash of water, and a magician’s green thumb.
A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. October 1 at Grace Episcopal Church, Kilmarnock.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his name to the Lancaster County Middle School Band Program at 191 School Street, Kilmarnock, VA 22482 or the Grace Episcopal Church Chapel Fund at P.O. Box 1059, Kilmarnock, VA 22482.
Currie Funeral Home LLC of Kilmarnock handled the arrangements.
