Sandra Graham Young (84) and her husband, Jimmy Young (88), lived their lives in service to God, family, community and country, and left an indelible mark of selfless service and remarkable love for everyone! The couple, wedded for 66 years, perished in a fire at their Nettleton residence on Monday morning, Jan. 2, 2024. Sandra June Graham was born in Fulton on Aug. 8, 1939 to the late Paul and Myrtle Gregory Graham. She graduated from Nettleton High School in 1957 and married James Earl Young on June 6, 1958. Sandra had a lovely personality, a soft but independent voice, and a keen intellect. She attended Memphis State University and returned to Lee County where she served as an assistant to Hon. Tommy Gardner, Atty. at Law. Later, she was secretary to the President of Daybrite Lighting. She retired after over 25 years as a Paralegal for the late Tupelo attorney, Dudley Carr. Sandra loved her churches – Palestine Baptist, First Baptist-Nettleton, and Nettleton UMC (now Nettleton First Community Church). She faithfully participated in all Church activities and, for many years, was their pianist. An excellent seamstress, there was nothing she couldn’t sew. A doting grandmother, Nanny carefully encouraged each of her grandchildren until the end supporting them in school activities and sports, seldom missing their games. Always dressed to the 9s complete with makeup perfect, Sandra’s sweet countenance made her everyone’s best friend and cohort.
James Earl Young was born on Nov. 19, 1935 in Lee County to the late Wm. Pruitt Young and Lillie Berryhill Young. He attended Nettleton High School and worked for over 45 years in Commercial Pipe Fitting and Plumbing. Jimmy was a lifelong member of the United Association of Journeymen, Pipe Fitting and Boilermakers Union. His skills were highly sought after in commercial buildings everywhere. A patriotic American, Jimmy served 40 years in the Mississippi National Guard retiring as Master Sergeant with the nickname “Top.” He was federalized during the Ole Miss Crisis as well as Desert Storm. He was a former deacon and Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church-Nettleton. A teller of tall tales and a rather celebrated local historian, he knew how Lee County families were linked and enjoyed talking about them to family and friends. A natural “piddler,” Jimmy could repair anything that had an engine in it! He loved the morning coffee drinking group in Nettleton and enjoyed taking care of his grandchildren’s dogs. Jimmy and Sandra were among the founders of the Nettleton Food Pantry and volunteered countless hours there. Active and beloved members of the Nettleton First Community Church, the two were inseparable and were known for their “down home” approach to their faith, their family, and their community. Their encouragement of all, their love of family and all things Nettleton, will be their endearing legacy!
A joint service celebrating their lives will be held at 11 AM Friday, Jan. 5, 2024 in the Sadie M. Holland Memorial Chapel at Holland Funeral Directors in Tupelo with their pastor, Rev. Danny Estes, officiating. Private burial will follow in Lee Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 4 PM – 7PM today (Thursday) and from 10 AM-service time on Friday all at Holland-Tupelo, which is honored to serve their friends and neighbors. For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed at www.hollandfuneraldirectors.com/Live-streaming at 11 AM Friday and will be archived thereafter.
Sandra and Jimmy are survived by their son, Shane Young of Mooreville, and their daughter, Nikki Young Thomas and her husband, Sam of Tupelo; 6 beloved grandchildren, Farren Young, Kayla Young, Bo Thomas (Chandler), Aliyah Young, Jeb Thomas and Maci Thomas. Sandra is survived by her sisters, Martha Bishop of Plantersville and Betty Laney (Jackie) of Gautier, MS; and a brother, Dan Graham (Jane) of Longview, TX; several nieces and nephews and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents, and infant siblings, Mary Paul and Ronald Graham. Jimmy is survived by his twin brother, Billy Young and his wife, Joan of the Tater Hills Community; several nieces and nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Polly, Lucille and Buck Young.
The family requests that memorials be made to the Nettleton Food Pantry, 389 CR 452, Nettleton, MS 38858.
