Agnes May (Rogers) Young

Mrs. Agnes May Rogers Young, age 85, of Greensboro, NC, peacefully went home with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on May 12, 2018, at White Stone Masonic & Eastern Star Home. She was born on September 4, 1932 to the late Robert Ernest Rogers II and Annie Ruth Hall Rogers.

 

Agnes lived on a farm, in a log cabin, with her four brothers - Ernest Jr, Bobby, Benny, and Johnny, and one sister - Betty Ruth. Her father passed away suddenly when she was 4 1/2 years old. Her mother continued to raise her six children on the farm, along with the help of her parents, Columbus Green Hall and Susie Christina Sands Hall, and her brothers and sisters. Mom told me that her Aunts Mary and Vera and Uncle Joe helped the family, but her mom "led the way."

 

They continued to farm, raising tobacco, corn, sugar cane for molasses, and many other crops. Mom told me that her mama thanked God that she lived to see all her children live and leave home. Mom said it was a hard life on the farm but she wouldn't want to be brought up any other way. She also told numerous stories about her brothers and sister. Mom told me a story once. She and Grandpa Hall were pulling cane fodder in the field one day and he told her "Agnes, you are slow but you do a good job." She told me that the rest of her life "I've been slow but have done a good job; used to be shy and that's why I'm a loner."

 

Mom attended elementary school in Stuart, VA. She loved music and reading. She began playing basketball in the 8th grade and continued to play all four years of high school alongside of her sister for the Francisco girls team. She told me the story of how they beat the #1 team in the region one year. While in HS, she started a musical trio with her cousin and a friend, and became part of the choir. Each class had to put on a play once a month. She participated in the Senior class play under the direction of Ms. Simpson from Simpsonville.

 

She graduated from HS and lived at home until she got married on May 26,1951 to her HS sweetheart, Thomas Ray Young. He was a corporal in the US Army, stationed in Alaska. He had sent her engagement ring, which he bought from a friend who decided to not get married, to her through the mail. She wore the ring until Dad came home on furlough. They were on a date one Saturday night. Mom told him that she had to be home before dark. He drove her home and, before getting out of the car, said "Well, I guess we should do it." "Do what?" mom asked. He replied, "Get married." They drove to Walnut Cove and were married by the Justice of the Peace at 6:30 pm.

 

Mom lived at home until dad came home from Alaska. They lived for a while with his grandpa and grandma, Jim and Alice Bondurant, in Francisco, NC. Being a military couple, they lived in various places courtesy of Uncle Sam.

o Ft Monroe, VA;

o Ft Polk, LA where daughter Bonnie - ME - was born;

o Minerals Wells, TX;

o Hoiloman AFB, White Sands NM where son Garry was born;

o Munich GE via the first jet transatlantic flight for military dependents. While there, we

lived on base and traveled to many European destinations including Austria, Bavaria,

Switzerland, and Scotland. During that time, mom served as Brownie and Girl Scout

leader.

o In 1963, the family moved to the Ft Bragg NC area and continued to live there after dad

retired from the Army in 1971.

 

It was at this time that Agnes accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior and became a member of Spring Lake Hollandale Advent Christian Church. She served as a Deconess, Sunday school teacher, president of the women's bible study group, youth leader, and adult choir member, among other activities. She also joined the Eastern Star.

 

In 1968, we moved to Harnett County and mom became involved in the Cub Scouts. In 1983- 1984, dad and she attended Gourd Springs Baptist Church where she became Baptist Women President. In the early go's, mom and dad moved to Rural Hall NC to be near family, where they both took care of their respective mothers. They attended Freedom Baptist Church. Mom continued to be meticulous in every detail of her life - homemaking, cooking (known for her many delicious desserts including apple nut cake, chocolate eclair, and my personal favorite cherry yum-yum), personal appearance, and every aspect of her life.

 

She was married to Ray for 50 years. He passed away in 2002 and mom continued to live in Rural Hall until 2005 when she moved to the Masonic & Eastern Star Home, now known as Whitestone. She lived there until she went home.

 

Funny story: Mom attended Sunday school at Whitestone Chapel in her earlier days. One Sunday afternoon, I called her and asked what the lesson had been that morning. She told me that it was about the three Hebrew children - Shadrach, Meshach and Amigo! Growing up, my mom would get frustrated with me for asking too many questions. Could I help it if I was an inquisitive child? Little did I know at the time that trait was preparing me for my life's work. If it wasn't for my mom, I wouldn't be here today (literally and professionally). While on bended knee (because I'm so short) hemming my dresses, skirts and pants, she would always tell me "You'd better get a career." And I did.

 

Mom was a woman of strong faith. She told us that she was always praying for us.

Pearls of Wisdom. I found these written on notes while going through her bible last Saturday during my last visit with her in her room at Whitestone:

Have great dreams and dare to live them.

Believe in yourself and have faith in your abilities.

Stay close to God and He will see you through your suffering.

 

Mom's advice at the age of 83: Have fellowship with your family. Let the Holy Spirit guide you.

 

Her legacy: Her faith; Her family; Her being content.

 

We love you mom and look forward to seeing you again one day. Your spirit will live on through us all.

 

Mrs. Young is survived by a daughter, Bonnie (Leland) Dixon; a son, Garry (Jennifer) Young; a granddaughter, Catherine Suzanne Young; a grandpup, Dove Creek’s Rocky Road Rogers Dixon; two brothers, Benny (Sandy) Rogers and Johnny (Connie) Rogers; a sister, Betty Ruth Shelton; and a sister-in-law, Patsy Rogers.

 

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Thomas Ray Young; two brothers, Ernest Rogers III and Bobby Rogers; a sister-in-law, Annie Rogers; and a brother-in-law, Kodell Shelton.

 

A funeral service will be conducted on Thursday, May 24, 2018 at Cox-Needham Funeral Home at 2 P.M. with Rev. Barry McGee officiating. Interment will follow at Crestview Memorial Park.

 

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 23, 2018 from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. at Cox-Needham Funeral Home.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Agape Ministries, Inc., 4449 Old Belews Creek Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.

 

Cox-Needham Funeral Home of Pilot Mountain (http://www.coxneedham.com, www.facebook.com/coxneedham) is respectfully serving the Young family.

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