Kathryn Young

Kathryn Eynon Nicholls Young
Born: October 21, 1948 in Newport News, VA (Riverside Hospital).
She was the first child to Victor John Nicholls, Jr and Margret Francis Hewet.
Kathryn is survived by her sister Rhonwen Hale, her brothers David Nicholls and Dan Nicholls, as well as her husband Derrick and their children (Johanna, Mary and Derrick Victor) as well as four grandchildren - Sterling Drake Young, Raymond Clifford Wilmore, JR, Joshua James Wilmore and Caleb Marshall Wilmore. She is also survived by her aunt Eileen Williams, of Hampton, VA; cousins Bonnie Williams, of Hampton, VA, and John D. Williams, IV and Cecelia Williams of Smithfield, VA; and nephew Justin Butler, of Richmond, VA; and niece Julia Butler, of Charlottesville, VA.
Kathryn grew up in Newport News, VA attending church on a regular basis. Her Dad, John, served as Minister of Music in a number of churches in the Peninsula Baptist Association. He also served as an active Deacon at Temple Baptist Church (Newport News, VA). John also worked for Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company as a Refrigeration/Heating Specialist.
Her Mom, Margaret, was a Sunday School teacher and sang in the church choir. She was an accomplished home maker.
Kathryn’s extensive exposure to music and her willingness to follow where the Lord would lead, resulted in her attending Lynchburg College (Lynchburg, VA) to study music and organ performance. She graduated in 1970 with a Bachelor’s degree in Music.
While in Lynchburg College, she sang in the Concert Choir. This is where she met her future husband, Derrick Young in 1969. They continued to date, even living 375 miles apart for the next several years.
Kathryn and Derrick were married in Temple Baptist Church on June 29th, 1974.
One year later, their first child (Johanna Alene Young) was born in Newport News (Riverside Hospital).
She continued to play at the Deer Park Baptist Church (Newport News, VA) until they moved from Newport News to Seattle, WA (October, 1978).
While in Washington State, Kathryn played the organ at the Renton Baptist Church (Renton, WA). Then she transitioned to playing at First Baptist Church, Enumclaw, WA. Here she taught music, lead the choir and played the piano.
Kathryn and Derrick’s second child was born in August 1980 in Auburn, WA (Mary Eynon Young)
In 1981, Kathryn and Derrick moved to Oakridge, TN . Here Kathryn taught music at a local Christian school.
In 1982, Kathryn and Derrick returned to Virginia. Here she served as the accompanist at Deer Park Baptist Church, later the substitute organist at First Baptist Church (Hopewell, VA), the organist at Powers Baptist Church (Hopewell, VA) and organist/accompanist at West End Baptist Church (Petersburg, VA).
In 1995, their third child (Derrick Victor Young) was born in Richmond, VA.
Easter Sunday of 1998, she suffered a heart attack and subsequently underwent 5-way heart bypass.
Kathryn responded to a call from the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer (Petersburg, VA) and served as the Choir Director, Minister of Music and Choir Director. She retired after 7 years of service.
After her retirement she continued to help churches in the Petersburg Baptist Assoc. She started and supported an Association music library open to all churches and was used to help small churches in the Pacific Northwest Baptist Association with music and robes.
She continued to play and supported music programs within the Petersburg Baptist Association.
In 2016, Derrick retired from the Department of Defense, they subsequently moved to Valdosta.
Here, Kathryn enjoyed ringing handbells, accompanying choirs as well as being a substitute organist where needed.
Kathryn served in the US Coast Guard Auxiliary as a volunteer Public Education instructor, Member Training Instructor, Boat Crew, Flotilla and Division Secretary and assisted in the publication of 5th Coast Guard District publications.
She passed on the evening of December 29th, 2021 – 47 and 6 months to the day after marrying Derrick.
She was a wonderful helpmate and a Godly woman who led her future husband to Christ and worked to support her children in all their endeavors.
She was an active quilter, sewing and teaching others to quilt. She also made lace (the art of Tatting).
She will be missed.
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, January 3, 2022 at 11am at First Baptist Church. Burial will follow at McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 10-11am. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home