RALEIGH, NC -The NAACP North Carolina State Conference joins the community in mourning the passing of Fred Yates, a dedicated civil rights leader, public servant, and advocate for justice. President Yates served faithfully for decades as president of the Perquimans County Branch of the NAACP and held leadership at the state level as the former 4th Vice President of the NC NAACP. He also made history as the Mayor of Winfall, NC, where he championed fairness, opportunity, and progress for his community.
From his early years of activism to his time as an elected official, President Yates’ work embodied a lifelong commitment to equity in education, voting rights, healthcare, and economic justice. Known for his unwavering courage, he confronted injustice with both determination and humility, never wavering in his belief that communities thrive when justice and equality are at the center.
His service and leadership earned him recognition and respect across North Carolina. As both a local NAACP president and a state vice president, President Yates worked tirelessly to strengthen the fight for civil rights in the eastern region of the state, while as mayor he modeled servant leadership rooted in community care.
“President Fred Yates was a true son of North Carolina who lived his values every day,” said Deborah Dicks Maxwell, President of the NAACP North Carolina State Conference. “Through his leadership as a branch president, state officer, and mayor, he advanced the cause of justice and uplifted countless lives. His passing is a profound loss for the NAACP and for all who believe in the promise of equality.”
The NAACP North Carolina State Conference extends its deepest condolences to President Yates’ family, friends, church family, and the Perquimans and Winfall communities he served with steadfast devotion. His legacy endures in the countless lives he touched and in the ongoing struggle for freedom and justice.