Alberta "Bird" Young

Alberta Young was born into this life on November 17, 1972 in Gurdon, Arkansas to Ivory Young and Shirley Loving Young.

As a little girl she was baptized and united with New Mt. Zion Baptist Church. he was an exemplary student at Gurdon High School and played the center position for the girls’ basketball team. She graduated in 1991. “Bird” as she was affectionately called was outgoing and made friends with the stroke of her smile. Alberta knew the value and worth of being a true friend. She loved being in the company of family and friends; and was often the center of attention.

Bird was the fun-loving friend whom others always wanted to be around. She was about business but knew how to have a good time. She enjoyed working, shopping and listening to gospel music. Her favorite song was “I Won’t Complain”. She united with True Covenant Church in Monticello and served on the pastor’s aide committee.

She adored her family and loved them all. She was their number one fan and could be seen in the stands cheering them on. Her children often looked to her for advice and they knew that she would “tell it like it is”.

She worked for 10 years at Scroll Technologies and later Georgia Pacific for 11 years. She worked hard even as her health started to decline, she managed to be on time and complete her work. She fought a tough and courageous battle while yet managing to simply smile.

She greeted life and its circumstances with a determination all of her own. In the last season of her life on Tuesday, February 26, 2019, Bird was blessed to share her transition with her family by her side. She was preceded in death by her father, Ivory “I.V.” Young who made his transition on March 20, 2009.

Though her transition leaves sorrow and a void; yet mingled with the sorrow are the smiles, the laughter and the memories. We will miss her, but we are happy that she woke up in Glory. We’ll see her again, and what a day that will be!

Bird leaves a lifetime of memories with her mother, Shirley Loving Young of Gurdon; her children, Jalissa Young of Gurdon, Shaquonda Walker of Arkadelphia, Courtney Walker of Tulsa, DeVante Young of Gurdon, and Aalyah Russell of Gurdon; bonus daughters, Lajune Gulley and Chaya Colbert; 8 grandchildren; sisters, Loretta (Randy) Marks of Gurdon, Annie Johnson of Gurdon, Pamela Young of Arkadelphia, Lavonda Young of Gurdon, Vanesha Young of Gurdon; brothers, Ivory, Jr. (Felicia) of Arkadelphia, AR, Robert (Melissa) Young of Demmen, New Mexico and David Young of Gurdon, AR; her bonus grandmother, Jerine Hatley of Gurdon and two godchildren.

She also leaves behind a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins; her best friend, Shellie Fort Grice; special friends, Rose Dixon, Shirley Purifoy, Gloria Medina, Trina Perry, Pam McDaniel and other friends who will miss her deeply.

Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 8, 2019 at Williams Funeral Home. The family will receive other family and friends from 6:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m. Service to celebrate her life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 9, 2019 at Mt. Canaan Baptist Church with Apostle Marcus Allen, eulogist. Interment will be at Shady Grove Cemetery in Beirne, Arkansas.

Family and friends are asked to wear Bird’s favorite color purple for the celebration of life.