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Obituary for BERTHA ELLEN YOUNG
Bertha Ellen Wallace Young was born on October 20, 1938, to the late Robert and Bertha Jones Wallace in Huntingtown, Maryland. She was the fourth eldest of nine children born to this family. On Sunday, January 3, 2021, Mother Bertha went peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We give God all glory, honor and praise for this life well-lived.
When she was young, Mother Bertha was called “Girl Junior” and “Little Bertha” by her family and friends, not only because of her name, but because she possessed the skill and ability to act and lead much like her mother. She always seemed to know what to do when nobody else in the family did.
Mother Young was educated in the Calvert County public school system. In high school she excelled at playing the clarinet in the band. She also enjoyed participating in dramatic reading and acting in plays. After graduation from W.S. Brooks High School she went on to obtain her cosmetology license from Apex Beauty School in Baltimore, Maryland, and established herself within her community as an accomplished hairdresser.
A short time later she married her high school sweetheart, Amos Young, Jr. whom she loved dearly. She and Amos were blessed with two loving children, Lafonso and Anita, whom they nurtured, with love and wisdom, and for whom they provided a caring, comfortable environment. While doing so, Mother Young found time to attend Coppin State College in Baltimore. She was also able to obtain her computer specialist certification at the IBM School of Technology with which she began her career with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office of the Department of Commerce as a help-desk supervisor until her retirement.
Mother Young not only worked outside the home, but took great pride as a homemaker by becoming an accomplished seamstress, making her own cornices, drapes, curtains, and other window treatments. She also made wedding and formal gowns for young ladies. Her love of antiques allowed her to amass quite a collection of unique pieces which matched her warm personality.
Mother Bertha began her spiritual journey as a child at Patuxent United Methodist Church where she participated whole-heartedly in many church activities. In her youth, she represented the church as a delegate at church conferences, served as President of the local Methodist Youth Fellowship President Program, and served as mistress of ceremony at church events. When Elder Young was the Superintendent of the Sunday School at Patuxent, she worked with him for the success of the program. Mother Bertha was always willing to work, to do whatever was required to get the job done.
In February of 1962, Mother Bertha followed her husband as he followed Christ, and was baptized in Jesus’ name at the Church of The Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith in Washington, DC, under the late Bishop S.C. Johnson. They subsequently began fellowship with Apostolic Faith Church in Brandywine, Maryland, where she, by her own testimony, was saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost.
Bishop Young served as Elder of three churches in Apostolic Faith in Brandywine and Owings, Maryland, and in Millsboro, Delaware for many years. During this time, Mother Bertha served faithfully by his side, traveling from church to church, no matter the distance. She would often visit the sick and shut in with him, and bring them whatever they might need. She enjoyed being the help-meet to her husband that God had called her to be. Mother Young served as the State Mother for the Maryland Apostolic Faith Church of Jesus Christ The Lord, Inc., and was a member of its senior choir.
One of Mother Young’s most special interests and accomplishments was that of helping to raise her grandson, Anthony, whom she and Bishop adored. They took great pride in him and made certain he had everything he needed to be successful in life. They shared a loving, unbreakable bond which has continued into Anthony’s adulthood. This bond of love has been passed down to Mother Young’s great-grandchildren whom she loved deeply. She would be so excited about their impending visits and could speak of nothing else for weeks afterwards.
Mother Bertha was a godly role model for girls and young women, exhibiting the highest standards of a virtuous woman. She often taught and facilitated financial management seminars to the women of her church and beyond. She also served on her church’s Helping Hands Financial Committee. While she seemed to possess a confident, aggressive and ambitious nature, she remained humble.
Mother Young was the epitome of selflessness. No matter what trials she was experiencing in her own life, she always took the time to listen and comfort others. She often counted herself last, never thinking too much of herself. She was the one willing to do the job no one else wanted to do. God gave her the functional gifts of sharing, helping, and showing mercy to others no matter how many times she was called upon to do so. Mother Young would sternly admonish you if you refused to do your best or when you missed an opportunity to move forward. She would encourage and support those around her if they fell, but in her sweet way, and always allow God’s Spirit within her to lead. In short, she was a woman who truly obeyed The Lord.
Mother and Bishop Young were married for nearly 60 years until his death in 2018. When Bishop Young’s health was failing, and Mother Young was no longer able to care for him at home, she refused to seek alternative care assistance for him, until she herself became critically ill. Her love, loyalty, and devotion to her husband was truly immeasurable.
Mother Bertha could not have cared for Bishop, however, without the help of their devoted son, Lafonso, who worked diligently after his long, tedious workday to help his Mom care for Bishop and their home. He wouldn’t go home without making sure the needs of his Mom and Dad were cared for. Lafonso continued with the same diligence and determination to make sure his mother was comfortable and cared for day and night. He steadfastly sacrificed himself for the love of his mother. It seemed he could never do enough for her.
Working behind the scenes just as diligently, and with as much love, commitment, and care for her parents was their daughter, Anita. She is and has been the one, whom Lafonso refers to as “the boss.” Though unseen due to physical challenges and restraints, she has managed what many would consider impossible. Through strength from Christ Jesus, and consistent help and patience of her husband, William, Anita is and has been responsible for all administrative tasks, including conducting investigations, making arrangements and appointments, and making sure that the medical, and financial needs of her parents were met. Like her Mom, she was always able to figure it out.
Mother Young’s sister, Jean, and her husband, James, served as the family’s backup care givers at their home for a time, after Mother Young’s rehabilitation stay, and at times may have served as Anita’s or Lafonso’s plan “B.” James doted on Mother Young and truly loved her as much as her sister did. She called him her “Buddy” because he always let her have her way. The experience for Jean and James was simply a labor of love.
Mother Bertha was preceded in death by her husband, Bishop Amos E. Young; her father and mother, Robert and Bertha Wallace; sisters, Dorethea Johnson (Louis, deceased); and, Vitenia Spears; brothers, Robert (Della, deceased), and Carlton Wallace; mother and father in-law, Alverta and Amos Young, Sr.; sisters in-law Irene Jones, Elaine Parker, Brenda Young; brothers in-law, James Moore, Leonard, Alfred, and Glenn Young, and Arthur Hawkins; and godson, Travis Wallace.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her son, Lafonso Young; daughter, Anita Tolson; son in-law Dr. William A.“Tiny” Tolson, Jr., D,H.L. ; grandson, Anthony Young (Kashonna), four great grandchildren, Khamani, Khimore, Kyion, and Chance; sisters, Mildred Young, and Jean Moore; brothers James Jones and Kenneth Wallace (Renee); sisters in-law, Gloria Wallace, Alene Hawkins, Alice Plater (Terry), Beatrice Taylor (Frank), and Deniece Young ; brothers in-law, Gene Spears, Waverly Parker, James (Elver), Bernard, and Eugene Young; godchildren, Leonard Young, Monica Carrington, and Todd Harrod; extended family LaTrice Ballance (Rodney), Brian Tolson (Neisha), Marla Tolson, Vincia, Chloe, David, Valiyah and Vaniyah; Apostolic Faith Church of Jesus Christ The Lord, Inc. Church Family; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
