Mary H. Young

Mary Hunter Young was the eighth of ten children born to Cheatham Hunter and Lucinda Hudson Hunter. Born and raised in Enfield, North Carolina, Mary learned the importance of family and faith from an early age, being reared and baptized in Royal Light Holiness Church. Mary attended Virginia Union University to earn a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, and there she met the love of her life, Barry T. Young. Together, they graduated from Virginia Union in 1980 and married soon after. Later, they matriculated to the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology where they graduated with Master of Divinity degrees in 1985 as valedictorian and salutatorian of their class. Together, they served in ministry at various churches in the Virginia area, with seven years spent at First Baptist Church, Loretta and 15 years spent at Mosby Memorial Baptist Church until Barry’s passing. Mary later served as the first female pastor of St. John’s United Holy Church in Richmond, VA, where she also spent her college years as a member. When she died, she was a faithful member of Covenant Fellowship Baptist Church, in Richmond, VA. Mary dedicated her entire career to the church and academy, becoming an expert Christian educator, grant administrator, program developer, consultant, preacher, and theologian. She ultimately earned the Doctorate of Education degree from Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, Virginia. Mary tirelessly served the School of Theology at Virginia Union University, serving in various faculty and administrative positions including the Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program and as Assistant Dean. Lovingly known as “The Duchess” by her students, she stood out for her kind words, graceful demeanor, and her ability to see the best in everyone she encountered. Mary culminated her career as the Director of Leadership Education at the Association of Theological Schools, from which she retired in 2023. She contributed to various publications over the course of her career and was well-loved and respected in theological education. Personally, Mary was known for her love of her family and friends. She was a fierce opponent in Phase 10, and was always willing to make a batch of cabbage, a sweet potato pie, or a pineapple cake for her special loved ones. In her free time, you could probably find her riding around town with her sister, Queen. She was the convener of “sisters’ trips” where she ensured that her sisters and beloved sister-friends spent quality time together every year. These trips were one of the highlight of every summer. Occasionally, they would even let the husbands come. Mary loved to sit in her sunroom and read, color, or just enjoy nature. For her friends, she was a constant encourager and listening ear. Those who knew her would describe her as warm, kind, loving, and supportive. At the same time, she was well known for her honesty, directness, and loving correction. In the last few years, Mary became an enthusiastic seamstress, altering items for family members and even making clothes for her grandchildren. She was a proud mother to Jessica Young Brown, and a dedicated Mema to Soumya, Samuel, Jr., and Sasha, who became her favorite playmate. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Barry, and her siblings Betty, Annie, Carrie, Rosa, Saint Joseph, and Adolph. She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Jessica Young Brown; two devoted like-children, Emmett S. Young, III and Diane Walker-Brown; son in love, Samuel Brown, Sr.; grandchildren, Soumya, Samuel Jr. and Sasha; her siblings, Queen Miles (Thomas, Sr.), Clifton Hunter, Sr. (Frances), Janice Mitchell (Bruce, Sr.), and Roger Fenner; siblings in-love Helen Marshall, William Young (Margaret), Brent Young (LaToya), and Tammy Young; and a host of nieces, nephews, godchildren, friends, students, and colleagues.

Tributes

Mary H. Young

April 1, 1958 - June 10, 2026