Ruth Elizabeth Gregg Young

Obituary Notice

Ruth Elizabeth Gregg Young, age 91, of Little Rock, died Sunday January 30, 2000. She was born in Little Rock where she graduated from Little Rock High School. She then received her undergraduate degree from Hendrix College and her law degree from Little Rock Law School. During her lifetime, she was a teacher, a lawyer, a homemaker, school volunteer, civic leader, and an active member of The United Methodist Church. In 1932 she married Gordon Elmo Young of Malvern. The family moved to Pine Bluff where she raised four daughters, where she was active in church, school, scouting, and other civic organizations. She was known as "Sweet Bird" after a song she sang. During her lifetime she made and gave away tens of thousands of loaves of bread. Her life was centered on her husband's and children's interests. She was an avid hunter and fisherman and world traveler. Among her many honors where woman of the year by the Arkansas Democrat, and High Profile feature person of the Arkansas Gazette. Additionally, she was a distinguished alumna of Hendrix College and Sustainer of the Year of the Junior League of Little Rock and a lifetime board member of the Arkansas Symphony. To her large family and many friends, she was referred to as Muddie. Her husband, U.S. District Judge Gordon E. Young and daughter, Elizabeth Edna Young Newbern, precede her in death.

She is survived by three daughters; Martha Young Allison and her husband C. Duke Allison, Jr., Catherine Young Cockrill and her husband Dr. Howard Cockrill, Jr., and Virginia Young, and son in law Dr. David E. Newbern. Ten grandchildren; David Gordon Newbern, Gordon Young Allison, Murry Ellen Elizabeth Newbern Aspesi, George Young Newbern, Catherine Anne Allison Atkinson, John Harton Gregg Newbern, Marion Elizabeth Cockrill Ward, Catherine Ashley Cockrill O'Neill, Jeffrey Morgan Young and Howard Gregg Cockrill. Thirteen Great-grandchildren; Allison Bess Atkinson, Elizabeth Harris Newbern, David Newbern Aspesi, Andrew William Atkinson, Mollie Hunt Newbern, Gordon Baird Newbern, Gordon Young Allison, Jr., Gordon Gregg Aspesi, Emma Anne Newbern, Sarah Harton Newbern, Garland Howard Allison, Mae Ellen Newbern, William Howard Ward. A memorial service will be held Wednesday at 11:00 am at First United Methodist Church officiated by Reverend Jeannie Burton. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the Elizabeth G. and Gordon G. Young Scholarship Fund at Hendrix College, or First United Methodist Church of Little Rock, or the Arkansas Symphony, or your favorite charity.