Harman "Sonny" Lee Yant

Harman Lee “Sonny” Yant, resident of the Oakland Community and husband of Georita Mae Ring Yant, departed this life Thursday morning, May 22, 2014 at the St. Francis Hospital in Memphis where he had been a patient for six days. He was 74 years of age and died following a brief illness.

Services of Remembrance for Mr. Yant were conducted at 10 A.M. Saturday, May 24th at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland with Rev. William Ring, a member of the Piperton First Baptist Church, officiating. Personal remarks were given by Payton Goad, Steven Lee Yant, “Mr. Mac” and Rev. Bill Crane. Special music was provided by Tommy and Keri Ring, soloists and Donna Blancett, pianist. Interment with Military Honors followed in the Fayette County Memorial Park Cemetery on Highway 64. Mr. Yant’s casket was transported to the cemetery by mules pulling an old style horsedrawn type hearse built by Amish Craftsmen. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes & Cremation Center — West Chapel at Oakland.

Mr. Yant was born May 11, 1940 in Essex, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ezra Lee Yant and Susan Isabelle Harmon Yant. He received his education in the Kalamazoo, Michigan Public School System and continued his education at the World Harvest Bible College in South Bend, Indiana. He served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War Conflict Period and was married January 14, 1961 to the former Georita Mae Ring, who survives.

Mr. Yant was employed for 13 years by Finishing Innovations, LLC in Mason, where he was responsible for the decontamination of surgical instruments. Mr. and Mrs. Yant attended the First Baptist Church in Oakland. He had been a resident of Jonesboro, Arkansas before moving to the Oakland Community nine years ago. Mr. Yant will be remembered for his passion in helping others and was active in the prison ministry at Jonesboro, Arkansas for 15 years. A true “gentleman”, he had a deep love for people and was known for his kindness to others. “Tinkering” with special projects and enjoying his grandchildren were favorite pastimes.

In addition to his wife of 53 years, Mr. Yant is survived by three daughters, Kelly Leann Yant Bradley (Bobby Gene) of Athens, AL, Amy Yant Goad (Eric) of Oakland, Nancy Hankins (Carl) of Black Mountain, NC; his son, Rev. Steven Lee Yant (Jamia) of Rossville; three sisters, Verna Strickland of Huntsville, AL, Teva Stevens of Kalamazoo, MI, Terri Sue Gould of Schoolcraft, MI; his brother, James "Jim" Yant of Springfield, MO; seven grandchildren, Payton Goad, Alexis Goad, Brandy Brinser, Steven Lee Yant II, Bobby Gene Bradley III, Kate Bradley, Alex Smith; and three great grandchildren, Willow Brinser, Aspen Brinser and one to come.

Those honored to serve as casketbearers were Steven Lee Yant, Steven Lee Yant, II, Eric Goad, Bobby Gene Bradley, William Alexander Smith and Billy Brinser.

Honorary casketbearers were Caleb Malone, Mr. Mac, Tom Ring, Jeff Monroe, Kenny Monroe and John Suthoff.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Harman “Sonny” Yant Memorial Fund, c/o Regions Bank, 16880 U.S. Highway 64, Somerville, TN 38068.