Mrs. Vernell Young

Sister Vernell Graham Young of Tampa, FL passed away on Friday, May 26, 2023. Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at St Matthews Missionary Baptist Church, 3708 E, Lake Avenue, Tampa, FL 33610 with Rev. W.D. Sims, Pastor, Officiating. Interment will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery, 4615 E. Hanna Avenue, Tampa, FL 33610. MASK RECOMMENDED.

Sister Vernell Graham Young was born June 20, 1936, to the late Tommy and Emma Graham in Capps, FL. She attended school at Howard Academy in Monticello, FL. The family attended Mt. Olive M. B. Church in Capps, FL., where Vernell received Christ as her personal Savior. Upon moving to Tampa in 1963, she remained true to her faith and united with St. Matthew M. B. Church under the pastorage of Reverend I. Anderson. Sister Young served diligently for over 60 years as a member of St. Matthew. She participated in several ministries of St. Matthew, including singing with the choirs, served in the Home Mission, attended Sunday School, and other special services and programs. Sister Young loved her church and often spoke of how much she missed not being able to attend because of her failing health.

Sometime, after her arrival in Tampa, she met and married the love of her life, Brother Felton Thomas Young. They remained happily married for 39 years until his demise on November 07, 1998. Sister Young was employed at Singleton Seafood Company for several years and upon her retirement there, she gained employment with Hillsborough County School Board working with the Foster Grandparent Program. Vernell enjoyed cooking (in which she excelled), sewing, shopping, and spending time with family and friends.

She was preceded in death by: her parents; husband, Felton Young; sister, Vester Scott; and brothers, Nathaniel, Lester, Earl, Matthew, Arthur, Tommie, and Manuel Graham.

She leaves to cherish fond memories of her with: daughter, Shirley McKenzie, Tampa, FL.; as close as daughters, Loretta Graham and Carlene Pyron, both of Tampa, FL.; grandchildren, Shermiss Johnson, Talvin Matthews, Jermaine Council, and Jimmy Council, all of Tampa, FL.; sister, Ethel Pyron, Tampa, FL; brother-in-law, Richard Scott, Monticello, FL.; sisters-in-law, Lonnie Young and Verna Mae Hill, Tampa, FL., Evelyn Young, Niagara Falls, NY., Ethel Mae Graham and Esther Graham, Monticello, FL, and Amie Graham, Winter Haven, FL.; and a host of special nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

A visitation will be held on Friday, June 9, 2023, 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Ray Williams Memorial Chapel. MASK RECOMMENDED.

Arrangements Entrusted to RAY WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME, Rhodes & Northern,

www.raywilliamsfuneralhome.com

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