Katrena C. Young, 83, returned to Heaven on March 15, 2017. Her devotion to her family and friends and her firm belief in God brought great encouragement and guidance to many people. She said “God is Love” and that is what she emulated; love. From the very beginning, she dedicated her children to God and encouraged them to explore the beauty of the gospels.

Katrena was born in Prospect, on May 1, 1933 the daughter of Lloyd and Kate Coleman. She was immersed in Christian community that would be her lifelong support from an early age. She was an acolyte for her mother as an adolescent. She was always very giving and a hard worker. With a calling to serve others, she graduated from Virginia Baptist Hospital Nursing School.

As a youngster, she would walk miles to the bus stop with a hot potato to keep her hands warm and those same hands never kept still. Her love of gardening gave her the ability to donate TONS of vegetables to the area food bank over the years. Her spiritual gift of optimism for life brought joy to those that she met.

Katrena was blessed with a large and loving family. She married her best, lifelong friend, Thomas E Young, on December 26, 1956 in Farmville. Katrena played an enormous role in Tom’s success as an Upjohn Ag Sale Representative where after 28 years he retired as a Director of National Accounts at Upjohn. 

Growing up on Cedar Hill Farm in Prince Edward County she was raised with 10 strong, willing and able farm hands led by Mel Coleman, Janie Simpson, Rachel Phaup, Iris Ferguson, Alice Watson, Lloyd Coleman, Tim Coleman, Celia Jo Young, Joel Coleman and Frank Nat Coleman.   

Katrena went through a journey full of life with her husband, Tom Sr.; sons Joe, of Canyon, Texas, Tom Jr., of Cameron, South Carolina, and Robert, of Dallas, Texas; daughter Jane; of Forest; grandchildren, Bradley, Andrew, Dorane, Clayton, Gregory, Violet, Max, Heather, and Ty III; great grandchildren Everly, Kye, and Coleman Gibbs. 

A life celebration was held at Farmville United Methodist Church on Monday, March 20. The family gratefully appreciates the many prayers and condolences bestowed upon them by more than many in the community. She will be dearly missed by her loved ones, who celebrate the fact that she is at peace with her creator, God.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Farmville United Methodist Church Building Fund. 

Arrangements are by Cremation Society of Virginia — Southside, Inc.