Suggested edit: Rev. Mark Blair Young, 81, of Bassett, formerly of Hillcrest Park in Bassett, most recently a resident of the Blue Ridge Nursing Center in Martinsville, died Friday, February 25, 1994, at Blue Ridge Nursing Center. He was the husband of Alma Lee Coleman Young. Born in Franklin County on October 13, 1912, Mr. Young was the son of the late Daniel Bayard Young and Elizabeth Stanley Young. Mr. Young was a member of the Fort Trail Baptist Church of Bassett. Mr. Young was a Captain of Railroad Police for Norfolk Southern Railway for 31 years from 1941 to 1973. Through a series of promotions and transfers in his employment, Mr. Young and his family resided in Roanoke, Kenova, W.Va., Portsmouth, Ohio and Virginia Beach before his retirement from Norfolk Southern Railway in 1973. April 1975 Mr. and Mrs. Young moved to Bassett and it was then that Mr. Young felt the call to enter the ministry. He was ordained on December 30, 1979 but began serving as minister to Sylvan Avenue Baptist Mission in Martinsville in April 1979. On January 1, 1981 he was called as Pastor of Providence Baptist Church, which incidently was his home church as a boy. On January 1, 1990 he retired from the ministry. Rev. Young was a man of many talents and enthusiasms. He served as Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent and Chairman of many committees in the various churches of which he was a member in the years prior to his ordination. He was also an architect and designed the blueprints and specifications for numerous churches, parsonages, as well as commercial structures and private residences. In his retirement years his interest turned to the art of carpentry. He constructed some of the most beautiful furniture strictly as a hobby for the enjoyment of family and friends. Rev. Young served as a Past President of the Rotary Club and Railroad Better Service Association in Kenova, W.Va. He was also chairman of the National Railroad Community Committee and of the Association of American Railroads. Surviving in addition to his wife is one daughter, Iris June Young of Frederick, Md.; one son, David Blair Young of Bassett; one granddaughter, Holly Gwendolyn Young Blake and her husband, David Blake of Arlington, Texas; one sister, Ruth Young Harwell of Orange; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by five brothers, Tillman Young, Dalton Young, Edd Young, Stuart Young and Glen Young; two sisters, Jessie Young Carpenter Goulding and Iris Young. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 Saturday night at Lynch Funeral Home in Rocky Mount. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, February 27, 1994, at Fort Trial Baptist Church, Bassett with the Rev. James Alsop and the Rev. David Weeks officiating. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, February 28, 1994, in Cedar Lawn Memorial Park, Roanoke. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to either Fort Trail Building Fund or the Alzheimer's Association.

Roanoke Times, VA, Feb. 26, 1994

Contributor: Barbara Chittum Hutchens (47335581)