Rev. Willie J. Young's Obituary
A TRUE SERVANT OF GOD, Mr. Willie J. Young transitioned from his earthly home on Friday, April 30, 2021 at Rush Foundation Hospital in Meridian, MS. Shug, Rev. Young, Pastor etc., whom ever you referred to him as, was born May 6, 1948 to the late Hardy and Ruthie Young in Crandall, MS. As a child and young man he was a member of Mt. Nebo African Methodist Episcopal Church in Crandall. Rev. Young graduated from Shirley Owens High School in 1965 and afterward he enlisted into the United States Navy and received his naval training at Great Lakes Na val Academy in Great Lakes, IL. He served his country for four years. After completing his navy duties, Rev. Young met and married Alice Brown and to this union the gifts of Shawn and Todd were given. As a teenager, he began his service in the community by cutting hair. This trade/talent was completed upon graduating from Canton, Ohio's Business College as a licensed barber. Barbering equipped him in sharing his gift of GAB in service, wisdom, advise and love toward mankind. He met no strangers. One loved him hard or one perhaps strongly disagreed with him. Rev. Young later moved back to Quitman where he mesmerized and married the love of his life Marguerite (Mugg) on September 19, 1983. Rev. Young was a businessman and entrepreneur: builder and owner of "The People's Choice" barber shop and "Muggs" Florist. He was called into the ministry in 1984 and received his religious education from Emory University in Atlanta, GA. for the United Methodist Church and left his home town for about 10 years to pastor, preach and share the word of God in many areas of MS. He then returned home to pastor locally. His pastoral leadership extended a period of over 20 years before retiring. He joined Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Quitman, MS. Upon his retirement he joined St. John United Methodist Church in Desoto, MS. Rev. Young was always about giving, sharing God words, and serving his community and other communities. His favorite quote was: "Only as we serve others do we make a lasting contribution to our world. If there be any truer measure of a man than by what he does, it must be what he gives. " Rev. Young and Marguerite became foster parents and adopted Monica and Tirome Watts Young. Rev. Young's favorite pastime was engaging in a therapeutic game of golf. He called the game his therapy. He also was an avid tennis player. He was preceded in death by his parents Hardy and Ruthie Young, grandmother, Nolie Parker who was a strong force in his life, sister Loretta Flanagan, brothers, Larry, Jacque and Wyte, Young. He leaves to cherish his memories a loving wife of 37 years, Marguerite; 4 sons; Shawn Young of Marion, MS; Todd (Macoiya) Young of Ft. Worth, TX, Tirome Young, and Ken (Melissa) Bland of Ft. Walton, Beach, FL., 1 daughter Monica Watts Young. 7 grandchildren; Andrea, Shelia, Kendrick, Todd, Trezher, Madison, and Tabias. 2 brothers; Homer (Noriko), Silverdale, WA, Gregory (Stephanie) Young, Grand Prairie, TX; 5 sisters; Eva Tisdale, Philadelphia, MS, Doris (William) Tomlinson, Girtha Miller both of Evanston, IL, Vickie Warren of Collinsville, MS and Sherry (Tom) Pickens, Quitman, MS, 3 Sister-in-laws, Joyce, Ruby, Rose and Yumiko Young. 1 brother in law-Tommie Flanagan, Stepmother--Mrs. Lillie Mae Goss; god brothers; Mr. Arthur Nelson and Robert Bartee, god son; Shawn Pollins, special friends, Ms. Beatrice Street, Mr. Ike McCormick, Willie "Scoop" Evans; Friend/prayer partner-Rev. Willie Kinslow; ministers; church members, caregivers: Joi Simpson, Charlene Heidelberg Thomas, Classmates, Golfing and Tennis Friends as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
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