Ulysses Scott Young Jr.

On November 6, 1941, a handsome baby boy, Ulysses S. Young, Jr. (affectionately called Russ) was born in Widener, Arkansas to Ulysses S. Young, Sr. and Elizabeth Terry. Raised with a strong Christian foundation, he sang in the choir at Riverside Missionary Baptist Church in Widener, where he accepted Christ and was baptized at a young age. A shy but smart student, Russ was a quick learner and made good grades. He grew up in Arkansas with his mother, Elizabeth, his stepfather Verlon Shelby, Sr., and maternal siblings. Russ moved to Chicago, Illinois with his father, Ulysses Sr. and stepmother Mildred, and his paternal siblings when he was sixteen years old. While there, he graduated from Farragut High School. He was an amazing artist and sang in the school chorus. He loved to sing, and often bragged about his vocal range from first tenor to bass- and to let him tell it, he was all five of the Temptations in one! One of Russ’s first jobs was as Pitmaster in his Uncle Carnell’s BBQ restaurant in Chicago. It was there that he started making his famous sweet heat BBQ sauce that customers came to love. Russ met Barbara Forest while visiting family in Arkansas, but it was in Chicago where their paths crossed again, leading to their marriage in March 1963. They had two daughters, Antonette and Charlette, and Russ had a son, Kevin. After some time in Chicago, they moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where they lived for 35 years. Russ, a natural mechanic, loved fixing anything broken. He became a certified refrigeration technician, working at Burlington Freight Lines in Chicago. In Memphis, Russ served as Shop Manager and Head Refrigeration Mechanic at Thermo King, then joined Gordon’s Transport, and finally Yellow Freight, where he retired in 2003. After retirement, Russ and Barbara moved to Colt, Arkansas, where they had a home built. There, he enjoyed tending to his vegetable garden and fishing in the nearby lakes, filling his freezers and those of others. It was nothing for him to catch 50-60 fish per trip. He taught his grandchildren how to catch, clean, and eat fish properly, always with hot sauce, white bread, and red Kool-Aid. Throughout the years, Russ was very active in church. He joined Monumenta lThroughout the years, Russ was very active in church. He joined Monumental Baptist Church in 1975 and served as a Deacon, and later served on the Trustee Board. In 1988, he and Barbara joined Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, and attended faithfully before moving to Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in Colt, where he was Sunday School Superintendant, Deacon, and member of the Finance Committee. Shortly after moving to Atlanta in 2016, they joined The Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church/House of Hope Atlanta and enjoyed worshipping until his health started declining. Fishing, traveling the world, barbecuing good meat, singing, and spoiling his grand- and great-grandchildren were his hobbies; but making people laugh by telling jokes was his passion. He could joke for hours and never tell the same one! Russ was known for his wit and silliness, and was an overall fun guy. y. He enjoyed having fun wherever he went, and even told jokes to the nurses while in the hospital. Russ was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend who loved his family and friends dearly. He quietly and peacefully went to be with the Lord early on the morning of June 13, 2024. He is rejoicing in heaven with his parents, Verlon Sr. and Elizabeth Shelby, and Ulysses Sr., and Mildred Young; brothers Edward and Ulysses, and sisters Saundra, Lillian, and Mary. Left to cherish his memory for a lifetime is his devoted wife, Barbara; daughters Antonette (Terrance), Charlette, and son Kevin; grandchildren Shakiah, Adrienne, Shanell (Jamie), Nicole, Devin, Adrian, and Keyshawn; great-grandchildren Aaliyah, Zariah, Devonte, Khalil, Aziah, London, Kennedy, London, Skylar, Khali, and Penelope; brothers Verlon Jr., (Rita), Winston Sr. (Carol), Wardell (Carolyn), Larry, Reginald, Michael, Milton (Trudy), and Anthony (Lisa); sisters Ernie, Judith, Andrea, and Marquiette Renee; Gregory, Britteney, and a host of beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. https://vimeo.com/event/4399792

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Ulysses Scott Young Jr.

November 6, 1941 - June 13, 2024