A Rabun Gap Icon
Ms. Mary Frank Yates was a beloved math teacher at Rabun Gap for 40 years, impacting the lives of generations of students. She passed away September 23, 2020, leaving behind a strong legacy at Rabun Gap. She was inducted into the Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019 for her years of service as a cheerleading sponsor, basketball scorekeeper and announcer, and overall Rabun Gap’s most loyal fan.
Read stories from alumni, faculty, former faculty, and others below:
"Ms. Yates was a very dear person to me and she helped me to believe in myself and to have the confidence to do the things I have been able to do today. She was the reason why I was in Trig Honors (still to this day I do not even know how I made it through that class without her guidance). She was a great person to talk with and I enjoy the many conversations we had even though I may not remember them, but I do recall that she was a great listener and gave the best insight/advice. She always advocated for all the students and also for Rabun Gap. She carried the spirit and love for Rabun Gap in her heart and soul. She was the best announcer at all the sporting events and she carried that spirit forward on a daily basis. I would say she carried the spirit of the school with her and she passed it onto others."
- Philip Leroy '95
"What I remember most about Ms.Yates was her infectious smile! Her positive energy made me feel like I could tackle mathematics, despite my own concerns on the subject. After explaining the next new concept on the board, she never failed to ask if anyone had questions; I almost always had my hand going up. Ms. Yates would look at me with such loving patience with her sweet smile, knowing I needed a little more than most. I’m teary eyed thinking about how she really was Christ to me - and all those she helped - in her vocation to serve the Rabun Gap youth. Teachers are special. Mary Frank Yates however, was the best-of-the-best! Rabun Gap was blessed to have her, and now heaven can say the same."
- Lynne Kotula Vogelbacher '86
"Mary Frank is perhaps the best math teacher we’ve ever had. She always finds a way to make her students successful while keeping their self-esteem intact.”
- the late Dess Oliver, former faculty
As newlywed 24 year olds, Maureen and I lived beneath Mary Frank our first year at Rabun Gap in the duplex. That year I had an advisee get dismissed and was feeling like I should have done more for the kid. She was kind enough to remind me that you can't do everything for kids. Much later, working in Advancement, Mary Frank would drop by faithfully each year with her donation and to look through the latest yearbook. I remember her sitting in my office lovingly searching the pictures for every kid she knew and commenting about how they've grown into such a nice young lady or man. She used to say that Rabun Gap gets in your blood.
- Matt McGee, former faculty
Ms. Yates was a math savior! She transformed my entire perspective of math. At one point, I was ready to throw in the towel and give up completely, but her words of encouragement kept me positive and always put a smile on my face.
