Obituary for Mary F. Young
Mary Margaret Francis was born December 17, 1928 in Toledo, Ohio, the second child of David Lee and Yniestra Harris Francis. The elder, by 18 months, was her beloved brother Eddie Lee Francis. She attended Gunckel Elementary School and was a graduate of Edward Drummond Libbey High School and Mary Manse College.
At Mary Manse, Mary was on the production staff for college plays, editor of theBrescian (yearbook) and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Alpha Lambda Chapter. In autumn 1952, she began a 39-year career with Toledo Public Schools, teaching third and fourth grades at Gunckel, Stewart, and Ottawa River elementary schools. As a young professional, she joined wits with “the handsome intellect in my life,” as she referred to Nathaniel James Young. They were married July 7, 1956, beginning an extraordinary life together: raising a family, serving the community and God.
Mary Young was a woman of great faith and was an active member of Wabash, Zion, and New Life Churches of God in Christ. Among her numerous church positions were the Radio Choir, TeleCare, which she headed, the Usher Board,and the COGIC Curriculum Committee. She taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and was appointed Church Mother by Bishop Edward T. Cook. Other activities were the PTAs of various schools, Cub Scouts (Den Mother), Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (Zeta Alpha Omega Chapter) and the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa (Beta Gamma Chapter).
Mother Young was preceded in death by her husband, Nathaniel Young; parents David and Yniestra Francis; brother, Eddie Francis and sister-in-law, Margaret Francis. She put down her walker August 4, 2019 and sprinted through the gates of the City of God to join them and abundant others in a glorious reunion.
She is survived by her children Nathaniel J. (Frankie) Young; David E. (Brenda) Young; Mary Kay (Tommie) Pope; grandchildren Thomas N. Pope, Carillon G. Young, James J. Young, Jonathan D. Pope, and Kenneth M. Pope; nieces and nephews Linda M. Francis, Albert D. (Shelia) Francis, Michael W. Francis, and Kimberly D. Francis; sister/cousins Priscilla Coleman and Lois Jones; goddaughter Eloise Potete-Holston; brother-in-law Richard Smith; and multitudinous relatives, cousins and friends.
At Mary Manse, Mary was on the production staff for college plays, editor of theBrescian (yearbook) and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Alpha Lambda Chapter. In autumn 1952, she began a 39-year career with Toledo Public Schools, teaching third and fourth grades at Gunckel, Stewart, and Ottawa River elementary schools. As a young professional, she joined wits with “the handsome intellect in my life,” as she referred to Nathaniel James Young. They were married July 7, 1956, beginning an extraordinary life together: raising a family, serving the community and God.
Mary Young was a woman of great faith and was an active member of Wabash, Zion, and New Life Churches of God in Christ. Among her numerous church positions were the Radio Choir, TeleCare, which she headed, the Usher Board,and the COGIC Curriculum Committee. She taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and was appointed Church Mother by Bishop Edward T. Cook. Other activities were the PTAs of various schools, Cub Scouts (Den Mother), Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (Zeta Alpha Omega Chapter) and the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa (Beta Gamma Chapter).
Mother Young was preceded in death by her husband, Nathaniel Young; parents David and Yniestra Francis; brother, Eddie Francis and sister-in-law, Margaret Francis. She put down her walker August 4, 2019 and sprinted through the gates of the City of God to join them and abundant others in a glorious reunion.
She is survived by her children Nathaniel J. (Frankie) Young; David E. (Brenda) Young; Mary Kay (Tommie) Pope; grandchildren Thomas N. Pope, Carillon G. Young, James J. Young, Jonathan D. Pope, and Kenneth M. Pope; nieces and nephews Linda M. Francis, Albert D. (Shelia) Francis, Michael W. Francis, and Kimberly D. Francis; sister/cousins Priscilla Coleman and Lois Jones; goddaughter Eloise Potete-Holston; brother-in-law Richard Smith; and multitudinous relatives, cousins and friends.