Mabel Hilda Young

*** Contributions may be made to Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church In the name of Mabel H. Young, 2110 Madison Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21217. ..................~~~~~~~~~~..........................~~~~~~~~~~~~.........................~~~~~~~~.................... MABEL HILDA YOUNG, 84, youngest child of the late Herbert and Pauline Hines, and widow of the late J. Preston Grant, Jr. MD and the late Elroy Young, MD, accepted God’s invitation to eternal life Saturday, November 19, 2011, following a brief illness. Mrs. Young is survived by her three adoring children, Linda Grant (James Wells, Jr.), J.P. Grant, III (Judy Grant, MD), Minnie Adams (Rick Adams, DDS), Charles Young (Roni) and nine grandchildren- J.P. and Evan Grant; Grant(Brittany), Blake and Rikki Adams; Michele and James(Elaina) Wells; and Blair and Brain Young –and six great-grandchildren. She also is survived by her sister, Lydia Grinage, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends. Mabel cherished her children and their children. She set the standard for righteous living and bountiful expressions of love that will forever live with them. Her smile showed the joy in her heart, a joy she shared with the world. Mabel cherished education as the path to attaining her personal fulfillment. She graduated from Morgan State College (now University) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education. Before returning to the workforce after bearing children, Mabel received a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education at Coppin State College in 1962. Though her post-graduate early childhood education training she was awarded a Masters Equivalent and Advanced Professional Certificate. Her legacy of support for education will live through the annual Mabel G. Young\ Grant Capital Management Corporation Scholarship for $5,000 to be awarded by the National Forum for Black Public Administrators to a deserving African-American graduate or undergraduate student pursuing a career in public finance. In 1962, Mabel began teaching in the Baltimore City Public Schools system in the then-new Head Start program. Her immeasurable talent led to two 10-episode seasons of “Kindergarten”, which aired on WBAL-TV in 1965 and 1966. Only Mabel could make “Springs and Things” must-see TV. During the next 22 years, Mabel held increasingly challenged positions in the public school system, that led to her being named Program Coordinator for early identification and intervention for BCPS. She retired in 1988, which allowed her to pursue her love of service to others, racial justice, culture and the pursuit of happiness. Mabel was a Golden Soror, having joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Delta Chapter, at Morgan State University in 1945. Through her membership in the Sorority and The Links, Incorporated, which she joined in 1991, Mabel gave her energy, passion and money to uplift the less fortunate. She so enjoyed her work with The Links that often Easter dinner was abbreviated so she could make the final preparations for the annual Easter Monday fashion show and luncheon. She was a Life Member of the NAACP. Her commitment to racial justice also led to the Afro Newspapers asking Mabel to “integrate” Gwynn Oak Amusement Park. She took her niece, Lydia Phinney Wilkins, where they rode the rides before the park officially opened to people of all races August 28, 1963. Their adventure became front-page news in the Afro and is an important part of a new book, Round & Round Together, written by Amy Nathan, about the civil rights movement in Baltimore City. As charming and helpful as she could be, the ultimate team player, Mabel also was a leader. She was President of the Auxiliary to the Monumental City Medical Society and Chairperson of the Nominating Committee of the Auxiliary to the State Medical Society. She also was PTA President at Franklin Delano Roosevelt Elementary School, which Linda and J.P. attended. Her spiritual home was Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church, where she was a member since the 1950s. She served as an Elder and President of the Ladies Guild, producing elegant luncheons and fashion shows. She also was a member of Map Checkers and the Platinum Club. Mabel’s love of music and the arts created a home filled with both. She patronized the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and was a Symphony Associate for many years. In addition, she was an annual subscriber to the Baltimore Opera Company. She also was a member of the Baltimore Museum of Arts and the Pierians. Finally, the pursuit of happiness led her to join the Modern Grannies and the Precious Collection. Whether you called her Mabel, Mommy, Granny or Aunt Mabel, you always knew she would be at your side, giving you encouragement, strength, laughter, and compassion. So when you see someone smiling, you know she is present.

Tributes

Mabel Hilda Young

October 4, 1927 - November 19, 2011