Minnie Lee Young

Newport, RI - Minnie Lee Speaks Young, 90, a resident of Newport, RI, for the past 64 years, died Friday, February 1, 2008 at Newport Hospital, Newport, RI. She was the wife of the late Ulysses C. Young. Born in LaCrosse, VA on May 19, 1917, she was the daughter of the late Jesse Nolan and Margaret Sturdevant Speaks. Minnie worked at Raytheon as a fabricator for 30years, retiring in 1990. As a young woman, she worked for the Federal government in Washington, DC and for the Torpedo Station in Newport. She also worked for the Childrens Home on School Street in Newport. During these domestic jobs she met her longtime friend Joan Martin. Minnie was a member of St. Johns Episcopal Church for 56 years and was active with the Church Altar Guild. Minnie was a friend to many and very devoted to her friendships. She is survived by her children Mattie Allen and her husband Doyle of San Diego, CA, Alma Meriwether and her husband Ronald of Middletown, RI, Josephine Young and her former husband John of San Diego, CA, Minnie Wilson of Atlanta, GA, Milton A. Young of Newport, RI, Annie Redford of Leominster, MA, Rosemary James and her husband Thornton of Roswell, GA and Debra Heisser and her husband Darryl of Portsmouth, RI, nineteen grandchildren, twenty two great grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren, her sisters Alice Bugg of Washington, DC and Margaret Brown LaCrosse, VA and a host of loving nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Mamie Young, William Speaks, Mary Ethel Byrd and Jesse Speaks. Her funeral will be held on Tuesday, February 5, 2008, at 11:00am, in St. John the Evangelist, 61 Poplar Street, Newport. Burial will be in Island Annex Cemetery in Newport.Calling hours will be held on Monday, February 4, 2008, from 4-8pm in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport.