Valley Christian servant has 300 descendants
By Helen Eastman Black
Nancy Young
Nancy Young, a Christian resident of Phoenix for over 69 years, celebrated her 100th birthday on September 9. “Mama Nancy” or “Mother Young” is what she is referred to as by almost 300 grandchildren and many others who have come to her for spiritual advice and prayer. She is known throughout the Valley as a powerful “prayer warrior.” A birthday celebration was held at South Phoenix Missionary Baptist Church on September 21.
Nancy Young came to Phoenix in 1944 with her late husband, Mack E. Eastman. She joined Welcome Baptist Church under the pastor ship of Reverend William Carr. In 1953, she joined in fellowship at Broadway Baptist Church under the leadership of Revered Artnis Martin. While a member, she held many positions including Sunday school teacher and missionary president.
She is the oldest living active member of South Phoenix Missionary Baptist Church. Since becoming a member in 1970, she has held numerous positions, including Sunday school teacher, president of Lorene Thompson Missionary Circle 11, and President of Deaconess Board. Assisted by many Christian friends, she organized and operated the Department of Agriculture Food Program. For over twenty years, she volunteered countless hours to handing out the program food to deserving citizens of South Phoenix. She was one of the organizing founders of the Old Fashion Dinner and Program which raised thousands of dollars for the church.
In recognition of her Christian service, Ms. Young has been the recipient of many Christian awards and certificates. To name a few of these: St Mary’s Service Award for gratitude in helping to build a bridge to end hunger – 1994 and Appreciation Award for steadfast leadership and service as President of Tenants’ Council of Broadway House Complex – 2000. Perhaps most notable, in February 2000, she was recognized by the Maricopa County Branch of the NAACP with the New Century Award as the founder of the Noon Day Prayer in many Valley churches.
Nancy Young is the mother of four daughters: Willie Mae Butler Nash (married to Walter Nash), Johnnie Mae Smith Stevenson, Ora C. Smith Thomas and Helen Eastman Black. From these four daughters, Ms. Young now boasts the following record number of 299 descendants spanning six generations: mother four children, grandmother of 27 children, great grandmother of 90 children, great-great grandmother of 145 children, and great-great-great grandmother of 33 children.
Among her record number of descendants, are many ministers as well as successful representatives in almost every category of life, including a jazz musician, a retired Naval Officer, a university professor, singer in a well-known Christian choir, a retired nurse, a chief fire inspector, a corporate executive, a retired bank president, several retired grammar school teacher’s assistants, artists and college graduates in many fields. Ms. Young’s legacy is her dedication to serving God, her church and the Phoenix community. She is proud of all of her daughters but feels especially blessed and contented that her second daughter, Johnnie Mae Stevenson, continues steadfastly in her footsteps. Ms. Stevenson joined her mother in membership at South Phoenix Baptist Church in 1972 and is now heir apparent to her Christian legacy.