Walter Allen Yearwood, 80, of Mt. Vernon, died 12:59 p.m. May 29, 1999, at Good Samaritan Regional Health Center.

He was a concrete finisher and a carpenter along with his father and brothers. They did streets and curbs around the city and also around the city square. Mr. Yearwood and his brother John built some nice homes around the Mt. Vernon area.

He also spent many years as a security guard at Mt. Vernon Outland Airport. He played in country music bands in many places.

He was born May 8, 1919, in Mt. Vernon, a son of John Edward Yearwood and Clara (Dorris) Yearwood.

He married Ethel M. Pilkington in Jackson, MO. on Feb. 1, 1941.

Mr. Yearwood was born, raised and lived his whole life in Mt. Vernon.

Survivors include his wife, Ethel; a son, Jerry of Mt. Vernon and his wife Adair of Chicago; three sisters, Mary Harmon, Dorothy Isaacs and Betty Newell; and several nephews.

He was a Baptist and was baptized at the Old Union Missionary Baptist Church.

As per his request, a private family service was held Monday with burial in Mt. Vernon Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Ethel Mae Champ officiating.

He was preceded in death by his father, mother; two brothers, Charles and John; two sisters, Fay Underwood (Keef) and Edith Gilbert.

Arrangements were under the direction of Newell Funeral Home of Mt. Vernon.

Source: Mt. Vernon Register News
Date: 1999
Submitted by: Mary Ellen Capps