About Us

Vinny’s Snack Station is proud to have a family connection tied to its name.
Joseph Jakes, owner of Vinny’s Snack Station, is the great - grandson of Joseph Vinson Cates, Jr.

Joseph Vinson Cates lived in Readyville, TN for most of his life and was a
school bus driver and managed the family farm.
In the early 1940s, along with the support and hard work of his wife, Mary
Dee Ready Cates, whom he met at Kittrell School and married in
Woodbury, TN, began a Grade A dairy farm.
 
Joseph Cates had his Grade A dairy herd, mostly composed of
Jerseys. One of his happiest days was the day he got his first John Deere
tractor, about 1945, and was able to let his last team of horses, Jeff and
Tige, go. He raised various crops through the years, focusing in on hay as
the years passed. He enjoyed his TN Walking Horse mares and colts,
some of which he exhibited in area horse shows.  He raised a few hogs
along the way and then, in the early 1950s, he built the first of his two 6000
capacity broiler chicken houses.
 
Joseph was President of the Rutherford Co. Jersey Cattle Club, helped to
organize the Walking Horse Owners Association, was a Rutherford Co.
Jury Commissioner and had active involvement in the Rutherford Co.
Farmers Coop, Rutherford Co. Farm Bureau, Kittrell School PTA and First
Baptist Church in Murfreesboro. 
 
Joseph was the epitome of a hard-working, sound citizen.  

He had a fine sense of humor and was popular with his neighbors and friends.
He cared for his family, was well-read and was always progressive in his
farming operations and towards life in general.  He left a legacy for his
family that is to be admired.

Joseph Jakes is proud to continue in the same community as his great grandfather, Jospeh Vinson Cates, Jr.

Joseph's parents, Andy and Shannon Jakes, and brother Bryan, are
excited to walk along with him during this new journey and we all look
forward to seeing you at Vinny’s Snack Station!