Wednesday, December 10, 2025 10:39 am

Jerry Lee Yelton passed away December 3, 2025 leaving a tremendous void his family will never be able to fill.

Jerry was preceded in death by his father Gilbert "Clyde" Yelton, mother Gladys Elizabeth (Betty) Yelton, and brother Gilbert Yelton.

He met his wife Cynthia Godfrey Yelton in 1966. Married in May of 1968, Jerry and Cynthia maintained a loving and committed marriage of 57 years. Together they raised three children, Jerry Michael (Lauren) Yelton of Sewickley, PA, Connie (Don) Reid of Isle of Palms, SC, and James Lee (Sherry) Yelton of Forest City. The crowning glory for Jerry was his grandchildren: Jerry Taylor Yelton of Washington DC, William Yelton of Boulder, CO, Jacob Smith of Columbia, SC, Anna Yelton of Cleveland, OH, and Teddy Yelton of Forest City. Jerry is survived by sister Diane Yelton, brother Larry (Santoya) Yelton, and sister Cindy (Donny) Henderson and a number of nieces and nephews.

Jerry cherished his extended family and friends. He had many friends and invested meaningful time with them whether it was visiting with him at Jerry & Son Body Shop, a business that he owned and operated with his son James or his breakfast buddies, or his hunting and fishing buddies.

A service to celebrate his life was held December 6 at The Padgett and King Chapel with a eulogy provided by Artie Rollins.

Memorials may be made to the Rutherford County Backpack Program, c/o Rutherford County Schools Education Foundation, 382 W. Main St., Forest City, NC 28043 or at rcsedfoundation.org

An online guest registry is available at www.padgettking.com.

Padgett~King Mortuary and Crematory is serving the family.