Valerie Celeste Yarbrough, aged 63, went home to the Lord, surrounded by her family, on September 18, 2023, after a brief respiratory illness. Born on October 28, 1959, in Carlisle, AR, Valerie was the youngest child of Mary Lorraine (Brainard)and Phillip Austin Yarbrough.
Valerie graduated from Bartlett High School, Class of 1977. Following graduation, she joined the family business, Yarbrough’s Music, Inc. (formerly Yarbrough’s Pickin’ Post), where she held various roles throughout her tenure. At the time of her passing, she served as the company's president, working alongside her son, sister, and many dedicated employees. Valerie was also a proud National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) member and enjoyed playing guitar. She was quick to compliment, had a great sense of humor, a love for animals and Razorback football, and extended a helping hand to anyone in need. She was also a long-standing member of Bellevue Baptist Church.
Valerie was preceded in death by her parents and is survived by her son, Davis, his wife, Meghan, and their son, Asher, who brought her immense joy. She is also survived by her sister, Phyllis; her brother, Tony and his wife, Pam; brother,Craig and his wife, Kaye; nephew Steven, and his wife, Jamie; niece, Adrianne and her husband, Aaron Roy, and their sons, Eli, Micah, and Josiah; nephew, Andrew, and his wife Livia; and niece, Allison Carson.
A service of remembrance to honor Valerie's life will be held on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, with a visitation from 10:00-11:00 AM and the memorial service from 11:00 AM–12:00 PM at Family Funeral Care, located at 4925 Summer Ave., Memphis, TN. For those who wish to commemorate Valerie, donations can be made in her memory to the Leo Goff III Production Scholarship at The Soulsville Foundation: https://bit.ly/ValYarbrough
The Leo Goff III Production Scholarship will ensure that talented youth have the opportunity to learn the trade and craft of engineering, mixing, and producing.
