Jonye Jean Pearce Young

Jonye Jean Pearce Young – 82

Of Lakeland, GA, having completed the work assigned her here, departed this world to be with Jesus on Thursday, June 25, 2015 at her residence. Born on August 2, 1932, she was the daughter of Herman Pearce from Burnham, IL, and Willie Erma Powell Carter of Lakeland, GA.
She grew up in Lanier County and graduated from LCHS in 1949. She attended Andrew College in Cuthbert, GA before returning home to marry her high school sweetheart, James N. Young, who at that time was a member of the United States Navy. James and Jonye Jean had three children: Darla, James, Jr., and Deborah; and like most career military families, lived in several places over the next twenty years – Jacksonville, FL; Memphis, TN; Brunswick, ME; Puerto Rico and Pensacola, FL couple of these more than once.
Just like James and Jean were "partners" in their military service, they were also partners in ministry from the late 1960's until their retirement in 2001. Together they founded Calvary Temple in Valdosta, GA; and served together there for five years before heading out to British Hondurasnow Belize, Central America to be gospel missionaries to the Chatchi people indigenous to that region. This was no luxury assignment, as they lived in a small three room house, where the walls didn't expand all the way up to the ceiling, and the interior doors were curtains. But it was a mansion compared to the homes of the people they were preaching to in the jungles via interpreters.
Upon returning home, James and Jean again pastored churches in north Florida before becoming house parents for troubled teenagers at the Florida Baptist Children's Home in Tallahassee, FL, where they served for seven years. They reentered the pulpit ministry, serving several locations in north Florida and South Georgia in the Baptist system, until their retirement in 2001.
With a life time of service to country and to the gospel of Jesus Christ, they at last returned home to Jean's childhood home in Lanier County. Jean said many times after that, that she wished to live out the rest of her life at home. Sometime about a year or two ago, she and James became members of Springhead United Methodist Church. No longer able to drive, one goes where the car goes on Sunday mornings; and Springhead was where the car was going.
After a brief stay in the hospital in June of this year, Jean came home under Hospice care to finish her days. Of course, she made one more move after that - she flew to Jesus to be with her Lord this past Thursday. Home at last!
Jean was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Karen Young and a granddaughter, Cyndal Young.
She is survived by her Husband of 64 years, James Young, two Daughters & Sons-in-Law, Darla Steve Jackson and Deborah Dennis Wilson; one Son, James Young, Jr.; 8 Grandchildren, Emily, Stephen Jr. and Jacob Jackson, Katrina Travis Hens, Angel Young, Brandee Berry, Jennifer Carrol and Gracie Wilson; and 17 Great Grandchildren; one Brother & Sister-in-Law, Gibson Sondra Carter; one Sister, Martha Carter; and a plethora of other extended family.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00P.M. on Sunday, June 28, 2015 in the Lakeland Chapel of Music Funeral Services with burial to follow in Unity United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends this evening, Saturday, June 27, 2015 from 6:00 to 8:00P.M. at the funeral home
In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in her memory to the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. Sympathy may be expressed online at www.musicfuneralservices.com .
Music Funeral Services of Lakeland, GA is serving the family.