What Little Girls Are Made Of

Acknowledgments

This book would not have been possible without the help, motivation and inspiration of several (well, ok, a lot of…I’ve had a long life!) people who, if I haven’t thanked, I would like to thank now.

Thank you Steve Caresser with ePrintedBooks.com for the interior book design.

During the writing of this book, my brother, Bobby, passed away. This is for you, Bobby. You checked out on me way too soon. If I could have you back for one more day, all the little stuff that I always bitched about wouldn’t matter. I thank you for blessing my life for as long as you did. One thing I will always have is you in my heart. I love you.

Caryon Johnson (I love you and the memories we’ve already made. You keep the smile on my face. And, I look forward to the day that you come home to me. Thank you for inspiring me, loving me and accepting me..the good and the bad.)

My mom and stepdad, Joan and Robert Bruyns (for doing the best you could for me, Bobby and Julia. Love you.)

Jeanne Brown Stroup (for being my first real bestie and riding shotgun with me in my early childhood crimes..LOL)

My grandparents, Leslie and Lucille Venters (R.I.P. Grandmother…I finally did it. This is for you, my favorite girl. I so thank you and granddaddy for making me the strong woman that I am and for loving me unconditionally.)

My dad, Jerry Yates (R.I.P. dad. I love you. Not one day passes that you aren’t thought about. You were one of a kind and I’m proud to call you my dad.)

Susan Burgess Dunkin (For your true friendship. Every time it snows I think about you and those ice balls we made. Remember getting chased by that mean man? LOL Love you!)

My sister, Julia (for all the little sister memories. Love you.)

My son, Tinael Robinson (I can’t tell you how proud I am of you for growing up to be the handsome man that you are. I don’t care how big or how tall you get, you’ll always be my little boy!)

My daughter, Derreca Love (I love you, my princess. You brighten my days beyond imagination and watching you grow up has been worth more than I could ever begin to tell you)

Katie Scott (you’re the coolest cuz ever)

My brother, Bobby (thank you for making my life interesting and for making me laugh even in the worst of times. I love you) [See first shout out]

Tammy, Loretta & Maggie Moo at Kroger, Hannan Plaza, Paducah, KY

Clifford Donald Robinson, III (I thank you for giving me joy for the short time that you were on this crazy earth with us. You’d be so proud of your son.)

Alicia Colon Albrecht and Dana Ragsdale (There’s no need for me to elaborate on all we’ve been through together. You both know and I love you both for having the strength to stand up and not back down. We made it!)

Alicia Johnson (for your genuine friendship, for being a stand up kind of girl, for keeping it real, always…I love you, Turtle)

Squirrel, Gilda & Winky Johnson (For being my second family. I got nothing but love for you.)

Martha Stewart…Yes, THAT Martha Stewart (for supporting me in being a voice for other women and to not be ashamed of the experiences that life has brought me. I will NEVER forget sitting up with you until three in the morning on Christmas Eve cutting out paper doves and writing peace (in a hundred different languages) on them for the cottage Christmas decorating contest!!!!)

Audrey Few in Chattanooga, TN (My first cousin on my momma’s side. The best thing you did was come up with the Scooby dance!)

My Fairy Godmother, Charlotte Scott (for stepping in and taking Lucille’s place. You’re not only one of the best damn attorneys I know but you’re also one of the strongest women I know. I love you and respect you for always being honest with me and believing in me when I didn’t even believe in myself. You’re a big reason this book is done!)

Wade Hayden (you gave me some of the best advice ever…Kim, if you’re gonna be a bear, be a damn grizzly Love you and Jeanne!)

Kendra York (for bringing peace back into my life)

My beautiful cousin, Marcie May (I guess writing comes natural in the Yates family. I got it from you. Love you!)

Lynanne Westcott & Anna Durbin, my Philadelphia lawyers and very dear friends (When I say looks are deceiving, boy, do I mean it. I’ll never forget the first time I met you guys. I thought we were doomed. Little did I know I had two of the best damn women attorneys in the United States in my corner! If it hadn’t been for you two, I would have never made it through it all.)

Andrea Taylor (I can’t even say enough…and don’t even know where to start…A good place would be Hansel & Gretel pole vaulting out the window of the Cinnamon House and….I‘ll stop there…lol…Love you!!!!)

Jaymo Clopton (for always being there for me and for all the fun times at Logan’s…You always got a family as long as I’m here)

Chip Wynn (I couldn’t ask for a better friend and supporter. Thanks for being why I have six dogs and counting!)

Leslie, Tonya and Dr. William Wheeler at Wheeler Wellness Center, Paducah, KY (for being in the business of making folks beautiful)

Angie Norris (My Clarence. You give it to me straight and few people in my life have ever done that. You inspire me to be more, to do more. Your heart is so good and the best thing about it is that you don’t even try to be good to people. You just are…Love you!)

Rebecca Reed Grief (Best McCracken County Court Clerk around!)

Bill Cornwell, Jr. (Can’t even say enough to let you know how much I appreciate you. Family first, cuz! Love you!!!)

Uncle Larry (Lawrence Fly Williams) (the last of the real O.G.s. Couldn’t ask for a better friend of you, Uncle Larry. Love you bunches)

Meredith Oliver (probably Clymer by now), Prosecuting Attorney, McCracken County, Paducah, KY (for giving ‘old Sam a run for his money. I thank you for never judging me and for treating folks fair in that courtroom. If more people were like you, our justice system would be what it’s supposed to be…fair and just.)

Quinn Smoothie Wilson (for all the good times and for always having my back. You got me, though, at LAX airport with the purse snatching. I still owe you one!)

Rahim Shabazz a/k/a Dante Sains a/k/a Little Dumplin (where do I start? We’ve been through so damn much and after the first five years, I realized that I was never going to get rid of you, that I was stuck with you…and, you know what? That’s ok. Love you, friend..UGK rocks!!!!)

Tina Cooper (For the push I needed)

Heather Mathis Council (for not just being my hairdresser but my friend. Al’s Ratt n Roll rocks!)

Rheanel Tolar (For inspiring me to keep on keeping on. Not to mention that you’ve probably got the coolest husband ever [and one of the best doctors around - Blair Tolar]. I respect both of you for standing up against our legal system despite what folks thought and said)

Mark Edwards & Chuck Tveite @ Edwards & Kautz (My money team. You guys are the best at what you do!)

Sharon Greeno (Momma Sharon, you’re the quiet, calm presence in my life and I absolutely love you. Thank you for being the little voice that always tells me to keep going when I feel like throwing in the towel. Oh, and you’ve got the best hugs ever.)

Molly Bailey @ Paducah Bank (I believe God puts people in your life for a reason. You are one of the most compassionate people I have ever met. It’s no wonder your last name is Bailey [as in George from It’s A Wonderful Life]

Leah Arnold (Boy, if walls could talk…All that we have been through together through the years. Thank you for being a true friend to the end. Love you, sis!)

April Jones (Talk about loving somebody unconditionally. We’ve been through it all - everything from Dr. Glass in Nashville to the parking lot of Kroger. Don’t know what I’d do without you…Love you!!!)

Thomas Jones (Even though you’re a Steelers fan, you’re still one of my best buddies. Love you!)

Latonya Chicken Jones (for guiding me, loving me unconditionally and for always keeping it real with me. Oh, yeah, and for always having the holy oil on hand when needed)

Laura Walden (Remember the Cheap Trick crush?) and Michele Bradford (for being one of my high school BFFs!)

Charlotte Jackson a/k/a Hi C (for staying true to the sisterhood and for holding down the streets of Chicago.)

Rudy Carrico [ Mark Walker & Janet Darnell], U.S. Probation & Parole, Paducah, KY (for still being that voice in the back of my mind saying, Do the right thing, Ms. Yates)

Phil Lewzader, Retired FBI Agent (The most charming FBI agent I encountered during my drug career)

Barbara Tootie Young (for your loyalty, friendship and for being the best damn assistant ever!)

Aunt Phyllis & Uncle Mickey Yates [Eugene, Tammy & Tracy (R.I.P.)] (for being the best aunt and uncle ever. Thanks for all the childhood memories and fun summers in Florida. Love you!)

Aunt Margaret May (for setting the example for me at a very young age of what a classy woman is. Growing up, I always wanted to be like you.)

Deidra Moore (for all the fun times and memories growing up, cuz! B.B.M. rocks!!!)

Cindy Shelby, Four Rivers Behavioral Health, Paducah, KY (For giving me a chance. You're an amazing woman and one of the few people I know who is truly doing what is their passion!)

Dr. Flanary, Donna & Melissa @ Flanary Vet Clinic (for always taking care of my babies!)

Lavissa Stannow and Just Detention International (and Christine and the rest of the crew)(For their continuous fight to stop prison rape. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a council member. You guys helped me through a rough time in my life.)

Pastor Anthony & Sister Deborah Walton (For never giving up on me. You're truly a blessing in my life.)

And, last but certainly not least, Lamar Juvy Wilson (there’s nothing I can say that you don’t already know. I got you always …Love you)

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

That’s What Little Girls Are Made Of……….

Nursery Rhyme

Chapter 1

In May, 2002, I arrived at the Greenville,