Honoring a humanitarian

Mayor Roger Wheeler, left, congratulates Leonard Younger, right, following the ceremony to rename a portion of Third Street in Kennett to Younger Drive in May 2009. Younger passed away at 6:21 a.m., this morning, Thursday, Nov. 12. File photo

"Peace I leave with you;

my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

-- John 14:27.

*A bible verse left in a letter

written by the

late Leonard Younger

prior to his passing.

The City of Kennett lost one of its most notable community members and humanitarians this morning, as Leonard Younger passed away at his home at 6:21 a.m., at the age of 91.

The grandson of slaves, Younger was born on a farm in Mississippi in 1918. He had two brothers and four sisters.

Younger's great-grandfather was the cook for the notorious outlaw Cole Younger, which is how his family acquired the Younger name.

Younger came to the Kennett area circa 1939, where he farmed near Bragg City, Mo., until 1985. He was a member of St. John AME Church for more than 60 years, where he has served as steward and a Sunday School teacher.

On Aug. 26, 1954, at Piggott, Ark., he married Virginia Gilmer, who preceded him in death, passing away in March of 2007. Throughout their marriage, the couple gave birth to a total of nine children -- three boys and six girls.

For more than 20 years, Younger hosted a barbecue at St. John AME, in which in invited the entire community.

Younger was a member of Methodist Men's Group for more than 25 years, and has served both as President and Vice-president of the organization.

Kennett Mayor Roger Wheeler said he was introduced to Younger through the organization.

"I'm probably more familiar with Mr. Younger through the Methodist Men's Group," Wheeler said. "Years ago, when it was a real active organization, he was always very faithful in his attendance and participation in its activities. He played a significant role in the AME church and all of the programs they had up there."

Wheeler said Younger was a great man and a leader unlike the city has ever seen.

"At this point, [the City of Kennett] really has not had anyone step up and take any kind of a leadership role in his place," Wheeler said.

Being a generous and giving man, Younger was a faithful member of the United Way for more than 20 years and headed-up the Wing Ding fundraiser for 19 years. In 1992, he participated in Walk America.

In 1986, Younger was named Man of the Year by Edward D. Jones, Sr./Heart of Gold.

In 1993, Kennett Mayor Charles B. Brown praised Younger for his efforts in raising funds to assist numerous charitable organizations.

Brown also recognized Younger for his faithful service to the community in 2002, while he was serving on the Community Safety Advisory Committee.

In 1996, Younger was the recipient of the Community Service Award.

Known throughout the area for his generosity, for many years Younger planted a garden that was open and free to all.

From 1963-1964, Younger served on the Bragg City School Board . He was also a Member of the Rural Electric Association -- which later became Pemiscot-Dunklin Electric Cooperative, Inc. Younger also served with the Migrant Insurance Board for four years.

In 2003, Younger was inducted into the Dunklin County Hall of Honor for his generosity towards the community. During the ceremony, it was said that Younger came to Missouri for a better life -- to be his own boss, to be his own man. He wanted to be able to think for himself, so that he could make his own decisions. And that is what he did.

Will Mobley, of Senath State Bank, remembers that Younger was "no quitter."

"Mr. Younger was already using a walker when I met him," Mobley said. "He found the energy to work for the United Way and I would like have a nickel for every ticket to his church's annual barbecue that he sold holding himself up on it. He was no quitter."

In 2007, Younger was honored by the Kennett United Way, who hosted a drop-in ceremony to recognize Younger's service and support to the charity. During the event, Kennett Mayor Roger Wheeler presented Younger with a plaque and the Key to the City, naming May 26, 2007, as Leonard Younger Day.

On May 1, 2009, the City of Kennett dedicated a portion of Third Street to Younger and his late wife for the work they did in the community.

"He loved people," said his daughter Beverly Alford-Thomas.

"He tried to be a good citizen. He said one day that he was going to miss his family and his friends. That was the only thing that he hated about leaving, was leaving his friends. He had so many friends from near and far. He was a loving, kind, hard-working Christain man."

In the letter cited at the beginning of this article, Younger reminds his family, friends, and fellow community members to have peace and to 'do good, regardless of what others may say or do.'

"The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway," Younger said.

"The biggest people with the biggest ideas will be brought down by the smallest people with the smallest minds. Think big anyway. People favor underdogs but only follow top dogs. Fight for some underdogs anyway. What you spent years building may be torn down overnight. Build anyway. Give the world the best you have and few may ever notice, but give the world the best you've got anyway.

"The Bible says those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. So, my friends, remember me and my wife."

In lieu of flowers, Younger's family has said memorials can be made to Virgie's Place and the future opening of Paw-Paw's house, the latter which will be in honor of Younger.

Giving Up. Letting Go.

The Family of Leonard Younger.

Giving up implies struggle;

Letting go implies partnership.

Giving up dreads the future;

Letting go looks forward to the future.

Giving up lives out of fear;

Letting go lives out of grace and trust.

Giving up is a defeat;

Letting go is a victory.

Giving up is unwillingly yielding control to forces beyond myself;

Letting go is choosing to yield to forces beyond myself.

Giving up believes that God is to be feared;

Letting go trusts in God to care for me.