Carl Jett Yackey

Carl Jett Yackey, 69, a beloved beacon of light, hope, and wisdom in his Summerville community, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and friends Sunday, May 25. After a rich life lived in service, generosity, patience, and kindness to others, Carl left a legacy fit for a king bound for glory, as he positively influenced the lives of family, students, friends, and army comrades. Born in Detroit, Michigan, on February 29, 1956, Carl was the son of the late Mary Elizabeth Jett and Frank Lester “Les” Yackey of Detroit. He is survived by his wife of 28 years Robbie Kate Miles Yackey of Summerville; stepson Matthew Miles (Grace) and children Eli, Logan, Addie Kate, and Nolan of Charleston; stepson Brandon Miles (Jade) and children Breigh and Lohla of Charleston; brother Frank Lester Yackey, Jr. of Sussex, WI; sisters-in-law Kayran (Johnny) Moore of Charleston; Linwood (Steve) Floyd of Clinton; Michelle Cox-Henley (Ray) of Evans, Georgia; Jane Etta (Johnathan) Bryan of Sumter; Alicia Leigh Jacks of Clinton; and twelve nieces, five nephews, and thirty-two grand nieces and nephews.

Carl accepted Christ as his personal Savior as a child and joined Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Detroit. During his childhood he also attended numerous sports events and developed a loyalty to the Detroit Tigers, the Detroit Lions, and the Detroit Redwings and followed them for a lifetime. After graduating from Redford High School (1974), he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Wayne State University in Detroit. Upon graduation, he joined the U.S. Army (1978) where he served as a Signal Officer in Combat Arms Battalion in both CONUS and Europe. While stationed in Hessen, Germany, he was Staff Officer CESO. During his service in the US Army, Carl received an army lapel button, honorable service button, and overseas service ribbon; his service medals include the Army Commendation Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal.

After leaving the army in 1988 as Captain, Carl moved to Summerville to begin his teaching career at Pinewood Prep (1991-1999). During this time, he met and married Robbie Kate Cox Miles (June 28, 1997) and in 2000 he joined and was baptized at Pierpont Baptist Church in Charleston. Several years later, the Yackeys moved their membership to Charleston Baptist Church, where Carl fulfilled his calling to teach Sunday School for numerous years. He served as Middle School Director and Interim Headmaster at St. Paul’s Academy in Hollywood, SC (1999-2013) and later taught history parttime at First Baptist School of Charleston (June 2016). From here, Carl became Economics and Government teacher and Academic Advisor at Governor’s School for Science and Math in Hartsville until he succumbed to kidney failure after dialysis complications. At the time of his death, the Yackeys lived in Summerville.

Carl’s favorite movies were “Paths of Glory”, “I Was a Male War Bride”, and “Casablanca”; tv shows: “Mystery SC Theater 3000”, “Seinfeld”, Bugs Bunny cartoons and “The Office”; books: King James Bible, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”, “The Purpose Driven Life”, and “Cat in the Hat.” He enjoyed spending time with Robbie Kate, chaperoning students’ activities and events, listening to John Fogerty, and following athletes Ted Lindsay, Maurice Richard, Gordie Howe, and David Binn.

Carl Yackey, a positive role model for all ages, will be physically missed by many here on earth due to his numerous contributions to his church, his family members, his students, and his colleagues, but his presence will be forever felt in the hearts of his army buddies serving, students learning, colleagues collaborating, family members loving, and Christians praying. He will be remembered for his numerous talents, remarkable traits, generous heart, stunning personality, and great sense of humor. The best memory of all, perhaps, will be his distinctive, contagious bellow of laughter that will resound forever in the hearts of those who met him somewhere along the diverse roads he traveled.

The celebration of Carl’s distinguished life will be conducted June 14 at 2:00 at Charleston Baptist Church, 13 Sam Miguel Road, in Charleston, SC with visitation prior to the service at 1:00. Simplicity Lowcountry Cremation and Burial Services assisted the family with the arrangements. Donations may be made to Agape Hospice House, 374 Myers Road, in Summerville, SC 29483 or Charleston Baptist Church at 13 Sam Miguel Road in Charleston, SC 29407.

Gray Funeral Home of Clinton is sharing Mr. Yackey’s obituary as a courtesy to his family.