Hattie Mae Young

Hattie Mae Young (née Holland) was born September 17, 1937 in Drew, MS to George W. Holland and Carrie Ann Holland.

Life in the cotton industry fueled Drew was not easy. The eldest of her siblings, from a young age she balanced caring for them and her cousins while their parents worked with attending school. Hattie would often reflect on how blessed she was to overcome her humble beginning. She married the love of her life and Army soldier, Samie Young, on March 13, 1954. They traveled the world with their children as part of his service: Hannelore Ricks, Doretha Young (Alphonse), Samie Young Jr., Cecelia Young, Delores Dawson (Frank), Suphyre Greenhouse (Greg), Kenneth Young (LaShaunda).

While life as a young Army wife took her away from Drew, it never separated her from her family. As the backbone of the family, Hattie would frequently send for her younger siblings throughout her travels, raising them alongside her children as if her own. In the mid-60s, after his retirement, Hattie and Samie made their home in Tacoma, WA and eventually helped Hattie’s mother, Carrie, relocate with her siblings as well.

It was in Tacoma that “home” truly took on a meaning beyond simply a dwelling. Hattie opened her home and kitchen as she regularly entertained family, friends, her children’s friends, and more. Her home was the central gathering place for multiple generations of family to connect. She always made a little extra in case anybody stopped by. Hattie’s fried chicken was legendary. Her children joke that the reason they had so many friends growing up was because of her chicken. It was not uncommon for her children to stop by well into adulthood and find a childhood friend sipping coffee or eating at her table.

Hattie was a deeply committed mother who made sacrifices so her kids would not go without. She constantly stressed to them the value of education and was proud to see them succeed. While some of her children and grandchildren claimed to be her favorite, the truth is they each had their own relationships with her that made them feel special. Whether they were near or far, doing right or doing wrong, the one certain thing was that she loved them.

One of Hattie’s first jobs outside the home was working as a cook at the Hilltop Day Care Center. She eventually retired from the Tacoma Public school district after more than 20 years in food service. She is fondly remembered by students for always making sure they had something to eat.

After Hattie dedicated her life to Christ in the late 1960s and joined New Covenant Pentecostal Tabernacle, there was no turning back. She served on the usher board and sang in the Senior and Psalmny Choirs and other roles. She was a devoted member and Mother of the Church at House of Prayer for All Nations under the guidance of Bishop Emma Moore for the past 25 years, on the mother’s board and serving in the senior ministry. She loved her church family as much as her own.

Hattie was a prayer warrior with an unshakable faith who made sure her family knew the Lord. She delighted in attending church with her children and grandchildren, especially in her later years. Always a fashionista, she would be sure to snap a photo before they all headed to Sunday service.

Hattie’s short stature, sweet disposition, and demure smile belied the fact that she was a force to be reckoned with. It was often recalled that her only fight as a child was defending her beloved cousin, Dot, after she was pushed by another girl. While not a fighter by nature, she would not hesitate to “bless you out” with a firm word which was usually followed by a reassurance of love and a reminder to get right with the Lord.

Hattie was a lover of stories, whether she was telling them or on the receiving end, and her hilarious sense of humor shined in these moments. She was always in the know, but her ability to keep your confidence could rival Swiss bank security levels. Hattie was quick to tell you “not to get her to lying” or “let me mind my business now” with a nod of her head. Once she finally made the switch from flip to smartphone, she reveled in receiving photos from loved ones, often ending calls saying, “send me pictures.”

She enjoyed fishing and loved the fresh catches her nephews brought her when she could no longer go herself. Nothing could take Hattie from the mild mannered and humble woman we all knew like a game of bid whist as she became a braggart exclaiming, “all aboard!” when a Boston was in sight.

The Lord called his faithful servant home on June 21, 2023. Hattie was preceded in death by her husband, Samie Young Sr.; her parents; George and Carrie Holland; her brothers Willie Lee and George W. Holland; sister, Jannie Gee. She is survived by all her children; her siblings: Rose Byers, Laura Hamilton, Dorothie Holland, James Holland, Jesse Holland, Marvin Holland, Tammy Holland, Dora “Jeanie” Hudson, Mozell Jones, Otha Perry, and Everlean Starling; 17 grandchildren, a host of great and great-grandchildren and numerous nieces; nephews; and cousins.

Visitation services will be held 3pm-7pm, Thursday, June 29, 2023 at Scott Funeral Home. Celebration of life services will be held 10am, Friday, June 30, 2023 at  New Covenant Pentecostal Tabernacle 2156 Martin Luther King, Jr Way South, Tacoma, WA 98405