Mrs. Mary Ann Young

Obituary A time to be born: Mary Ann Young was born to Mammie Lee Hollaway-Walker on September 13, 1944, in Ashdown, Arkansas and lived in Texarkana, Arkansas. She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Jerry Walker; two sisters, Martha Ann Butler and Esther Walker; one daughter, Tracy Murray; stepdaughters, Snowa Dillard and Tanya Young, stepson, Gregory Dillard, and one granddaughter, Tiara Haynes. A time to plant: Mary Ann moved to Kansas City, Missouri with her mother and siblings on June 12, 1957. She was educated in Texarkana, Arkansas and in Kansas City, Missouri, where she attended Manual High School. Mary Ann later left home and obtained her general education. She also attended Penn Valley Community College and received her certification as a CNA and food and nutrition. She later continued to improve her skills, attending workshops and seminars for food and nutrition. In 1989 Mary Ann received her certificate from the State of Missouri Social Service Department and the Division of Family Services to be a relative foster caregiver to two of her grandchildren. Mary Ann confessed her belief in Jesus Christ at an early age at College Hill Baptist Church in Texarkana, Arkansas. After moving to Kansas City, Missouri, she joined the Friendship Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Rev. I.H. Henderson. Later in September of 1969 Mary joined Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Rev. Emanuel A. Johnson, where she was baptized and remained an active member serving under Pastor Donald Givens until her health failed. Mary Ann enjoyed reading the Bible, writing, cooking, family gatherings, music, sports and encouraging others in their spiritual walk with Christ, helping them get to know our Heavenly Father better. Mary Ann was the second oldest child of eleven siblings. After moving to Kansas City, she met and united in marriage to the late William T. Dawson in 1960, and to this union four children were born: Deborah Dawson-Lee, Angela Dawson, Carmen Dawson-Carpenter and Tracy Dawson-Murray. When that marriage dissolved Mary Ann later met and married the late Deacon Samuel H Dillard, III, and two children were born to this union: Kimberly Dillard-Whitaker and Samuel H Dillard, IV. During this marriage she raised her four stepchildren: Pam Dillard, Winston Dillard, Gregory Dillard and Snowa Dillard, along with her six children. On December 6, 1986 Mary Ann united in marriage to the love of her life, Eugene ‘Geno’ ‘Cimoli’ Young, where they remained married for 36 years until her death. There were no children born to this union. She raised two grandchildren as her own and several other children, creating a blended family. After becoming a member of the Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church family in September 1969, Mary Ann became active in Sunday School, Ways and Means, Vacation Bible School as an assistant teacher, Nurses Aid as vice president, Senior Usher Board, Senior Women Mission Union, Ladies Chorus, Mass Choir, participated in various plays, such as the Church Fight and Women of the Bible, and was on the Planning Committee for the late Pastor Emanuel Johnson’s retirement in 2004. Mary Ann was employed with Research Medical Center as a food service and nutrition supervisor, where she retired after 27 years when her health began to fail in 1994. When her health was failing this caused numerous admissions back and forth in the hospital. Mary Ann was not a quitter and fought hard to the very end with her family surrounding her. Mary Ann believed firmly in God’s word, being an example to others. She was known as “Granny” to family and “Mrs. Mary Ann” to others. She loved caring for her husband, children, grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, sons-in-law, late daughter-in-law and other unrelated children. She was totally committed to serving her family and her church with her kindness and open love towards everyone she came in contact with. Mary Ann had a beautiful smile, and she was a virtuous, loving and unselfish woman who had concern for everyone around her. She was a fun person who lived and loved life to the fullest. Mary Ann put others before herself and had a great love for serving and helping others in need. She shared her home with open arms to everyone, giving that warm hug whenever needed. Although Mary Ann was very sick for many years, she did not complain. A time to die: Mary Ann, Mom, “Granny” at 77 years old, received her wings on Thursday afternoon, March 10, 2022, and is now resting in her Savior’s arms. A time to mourn: Mary Ann leaves to cherish her memories her husband of 36 years, Eugene “Geno” “Cimoli” Young; four daughters, Deborah Lee (William), Angela Dawson, Carmen Carpenter (Glenn, Sr.), Kimberly Whitaker (Orlando, Sr.), all of Kansas City, MO; one son, Samuel H. “Mike” Dillard, IV, of Kansas City, MO; son-in-law Shawn Murray, two stepsons, Winston Dillard and Eugene Young, Jr.; five stepdaughters, Pamela Dillard, Loise Durham-Dawson, Stephanie Davis (Ben) all of Kansas City, Mo., Terry Young, of Blue Springs, MO, and Tina Young, of Kansas City, MO; a special adopted daughter, Tina Jacks, two brothers, Jimmie T. James and Bennie Benton, Sr., of Kansas City, MO; four sisters, Daisy Walker, of Kansas City, KS; Melba Walker, of Los Angeles, CA, Bonnie Walker, Rosemary Walker and Polly Harrington (Timothy, Sr.), all of Kansas City, MO; two sisters-in-law, Loretta Reese and Yvonne Hollingsworth, both of Kansas City, MO; one special first cousin, Pinky Lee Mitchem, of Independence, MO; one special sister-in-law, Laveda Daniels, of St. Louis, MO., 19 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; two special friends, Versie Adams and Louise Henderson both of Kansas City, MO; and a host of nieces, nephews, other friends and relatives. Funeral Service will be held Saturday, March 19, 2022,11:00am at Mt. Vernon MBC. Visitation will be from 10am-11am at the church. Service conducted by Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be shared on our website. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mrs. Mary Ann Young, please visit our floral store. Read More

Mrs. Mary Ann Young

September 13, 1944 - March 10, 2022