Mom And Business Leader Dies At 59

KnoxNews.com:

Long before organic foods and holistic wellness were mainstream, Ann Yates was promoting alternative health care through a successful retail business that spanned three decades.

Ms. Yates, owner of Nature’s Pantry and Well By Nature, died Oct. 30 at home surrounded by family and friends. She was 59.

“She was a trailblazer. At the time, there were not a lot of people who believed in alternative health care. Because people didn’t think that way, she saw an opportunity to educate them,” said long-time friend Bill Arthur, who owns Nutraceutical Solutions Consulting.

Daughter Meredith Yates, 33, will manage both businesses, which are expected to see little change. Son Ben Yates, 30, also will continue to be involved.

Raised on a farm in Springfield, Tenn., Yates was drawn to all things natural. Her interest intensified after unsuccessfully trying to relieve her 1-year-old son from severe allergies using mainstream medicine.

In 2002, Yates expanded her approach to healthy living by building a holistic wellness center next to her retail store. Well By Nature offers a range of services from acupuncture and yoga to cooking classes and medical consultations.

“She saw no problem with starting something that wasn’t popular and moving it forward,” Arthur said. “She saw it is as a gradual process. She was very methodical.”

As a result, Yates saw her overall sales increase 30 times over 30 years, he said.