Virgie C. Yates was born May 18, 1938, to Fred and Gustee Wood in Brownsville, Tennessee where she grew up. She later moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where she married William Colbert. To this union, one daughter and four sons were born. Her parents preceded her in passing, along with William Colbert; a sister, Ethel Douglas; three brothers, Fred Wood Jr., William Wood, and Henry Wood; her son, Rev. Vater Colbert Sr.; her daughter, Denise Boykin and grandson, Vantoine Colbert.

Virgie later moved her family to Virginia where she went to nursing school and became an LPN. She loved the nursing field. She was employed at MCV hospital for many years before coming back to Meherrin, Virginia where she was also employed at Southside Community Hospital. After leaving Southside, she was employed with Piedmont Geriatric Hospital where she remained until retirement. While working in Burkeville, she met Thomas Yates and they later married. After relocating to Blackstone, Virginia, Virgie moved her membership from New Bethel Baptist Church to Cellar Creek Baptist Church where she became a Deaconess and remained until Thomas passed. After his passing, she moved back to Meherrin and rejoined New Bethel Baptist Church where she sang on the church choir. She loved to sing and praise the Lord.

Virgie was very active in the church. She was a Deaconess, President of the Missionary Circle, President of the Pastor's Aid Committee and a Trustee. Whenever she received a call to do anything, she did if she could. She loved her New Bethel Church family and stayed active as long as she could. She served as a member of the Eastern Star Charlotte Chapter #147 OES, PHA.

Virgie loved her family and friends. She leaves to cherish the memory of her: three sons, Larry (Michelle), Bobbie and Michael (Pashal); brothers, Ernest Wood and James Wood; her sister, Virginia Dillard; one God given sister, Elizabeth Harper; one God given daughter, Delphine Watson; eighteen grandchildren, Norris, Shana, Shaya, Bobbie Shawn, Capri, Larissa, Brandy, Kiandre, Destiny, Vater Jr., Larry Jr., Coronda, Charles, Nicole, Stephen, Paul and Chris; nineteen great grandchildren, Dasha, Dajuan, DeMaya, DeMiri, Eden, Vater III, Rhyin, Taylor, KeShawn, Qyaira, Christopher, Kennedy, Cash, Larry III, Ryan, Kylee, Kyro, Lanizha and Keshire; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.