Lucine A. Young

Once upon a time, there lived a woman, a loving, beautiful, strong and courageous woman. This lady was affectionately called Lucy (mainly by her granddaughter, Stacey), Old Mother (by my Uncle Arnold), Momma Lucine (by her family in the church), but many of us, however, lovingly called her Gramma. It was once rumored that she was born with that name, but I happen to know otherwise. The real story is that on Saturday, January 27, 1923 at 3:15am, a precious baby girl was born to John Thomas and Blanche Merriweather Pitts. Her father, who loved the cinema and who actually owned the Star Theatre, would name her Lucine, after a French silent film actress. Lucine Anita Pitts would be her legal name, but the world would know her as Gramma. She was the fourth of six siblings which included Loretta, David, Albert, James and Athlea. Although, being raised in the great depression had its challenges, it proved to bring much happiness and joy to the Pitts Family. Gramma had a full life. She attended the Baltimore City Public School System and was an honor student from elementary school to the time she graduated from Frederick Douglass High School at the age of seventeen in 1940. After high school, she met and soon married her love, Donald Kenneth Young. They remained married for thirty-two years until his untimely passing in 1973. Through their union they gave birth to seven kids: Donald, Frederick, Rodger, Arthur, Theresa, Barry and Norma. Also during this time she attended Cortez Peters Business School at night, specializing in typing and short hand. Her education led to her first job as a secretary at Public School #142. She continued to work as a secretary for the Baltimore City Public School System, until she retired in 1986 after forty-six years of excellent service. Gramma made miracles happen. Unbelievably, she successfully raised seven kids, purchased a home, owned a car and NEVER made more than $17,000 a year! Gramma was raised Catholic, but her calling came when she was saved in 1973. Ever since then, she devoted her life to become an avid student of the bible and true disciple of Christ. She remained an active member of the churches she attended and served in many capacities. She wanted nothing more than for her family to be saved and understand the true love of Jesus Christ. Her personal mission, or should we say mantra, was to love GOD and to love one another. Gramma was a great cook! She inherited her skills honestly, as her dad worked as a cruise ship and resort chef. She made everything delicious and from the heart. She was famous for her homemade rolls, lemon merengue pie, and her special mixed juice cocktails (non-alcoholic of course!). And, somehow, even on a limited budget, there was always enough food for everyone including her children, her grandchildren, family and friends! She loved tennis and during the glory years of basketball, she loved Michael Jordon! She also loved listening to classical music which isn’t much of a surprise considering her mother was an accomplished piano player. And, her favorite singer was Ella Fitzgerald. Our Father finally took her home to be with Him after a lengthy illness on Friday, November 25, 2011. Gramma left her earthly shell and her soul soured through time and space to meet our magnificent Lord and Savior in Heaven, where she gets to praise His name forever more! Gramma was a wonderful woman and a tough little lady! She was a devoted friend, a loving mother, a cherished and huge fan of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is survived by her children: Freddy, Rodger, Terry, and Barry. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Tracy, Wayne, Mia, Rehya, Keith, Gary, Joy, Jenny, Stacy, Heather, Trisha, Jena, Andrea, Bo, Omar, Carita, Margaret, Lawrence, Jennifer, and a host of great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Lucine A. Young

January 27, 1923 - November 25, 2011