James Young, Sr.

Mr. James Edward Young, Sr. the eldest child of the late David Young, Sr. and the late Mary Dixon Young was born May 25, 1938 in Florence, South Carolina. He died Thursday, December 9, 2021.

James was baptized and grew up as a toddler and youth at Cumberland United Methodist Church. He always had a special love for his home church “Cumberland.”

James attended Florence County Public Schools and was a Wilson High School Class of 1956 graduate. He was a member of Wilson High School marching band. For his love of music, especially jazz, his friends called him “Jazzmo”. This name stuck with him throughout his adult life.

James enlisted into the United States Navy and received an honorable discharge after fourteen years of service.

James moved to New York City, where he met and married the late Patricia Ann “Pat” Young. They were blessed with four children: Alicia, James Edward, Jr., Sahkinah, and Jamel.

James was employed with Department of the Navy as a Merchant Marine stationed in Virginia and Charleston, South Carolina. He was also a Longshoreman at the Navy shipyard in Norfolk, Virginia until his retirement.

After his retirement, James resided in Portsmouth, Virginia. He was known by his friends as “Jimmy”. He had a special Ministry: feeding and housing the homeless. This was a love of his through Jesus Christ in caring and helping others. He was a kind and very humble person.

Jimmy a joy trumpeter, traveled in the United States and Europe with many outstanding bands. He played with the Buddy Johnson, Duke Ellington Band, Miles Davis Band, and a Charleston Jazz Group Lonnie Hamilton and the Diplomats. This group was led by Charleston County Councilman Lonnie Hamilton.

James carried three names: James, his birth and family name, Jazzmo, his friends of Wilson High School, and Jimmy from his professional band players and friends in Portsmouth, Virginia. He was loved by all who knew him.

In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Ann “Pat” Williams Young; and two sons, James Edward Young, Jr. and Jamel Anwar Young.

James leaves to cherish his memories: two daughters, Alicia Young Waters and Sahkinah Young Glover; ten grandchildren, Belton, Jr., Hadrianna, Lena, Benjamin, Satima, Kayla, Robert, Kaliyah, Maykayla, and Nasir; 24 great grandchildren; two brothers, David Young, Jr. and Clifton “Bobby” (Ann) Young; two sisters, Betty Young Ward and Mary (Mark) Young Hattersen; one brother-in-law, Bobby (Mary) Williams; two aunts, Rose R. Burnett and Audrey R. Williams, two very devoted special friends and caregivers, Robert and Jimmy both of Portsmouth, Virginia; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Please keep the family of James E. Young, Sr. in your thoughts and prayers.