Obituary for Artis Douglas Young
Artis Douglas Young was born in Arkansas August 20, about 1938 to Will Young and Nellie Carter Young Billings.
Artis was raised by his beloved Great Aunt, Etta Mae Jackson and his Uncle WIll and surrounded with a large extended family including his Grandmother, Daisy Carter. Artis graduated Phelix High School in Sunset, Arkansas in 1957.After graduating from high school, Artis, with Dorothy Real, had a daughter, Shirley. He and Dororthy maintained a respectful relationship until his homegoing.
In the early 1960's Artis left Arkansas to explore the United States. He settled and worked in Chicago in the early 1960s where he entered the restaurant business, working his way up from busboy to the professional cook in top-flight restaurants such as The Pump Room. He enjoyed telling stories of his interactions with guests that ranged from major corporation CEOs to famed teamster, Jimmy Hoffa. Afterwards Artis made his way to a pastry school in Indiana and to visit his sister Magalen in Philadelphia. During this time, he began apprenticing with German and Swiss bakers and met the love of his life, Ruth. In 1967, Artis and Ruth married and 2 years later had a daughter, Arica Nicole
In 1973, Artis and Ruth purchased a bakery from one of his former employers in Nicetown, Philadelphia. Artis and Ruth expanded to an additional bakery in Germantown, Philadelphia. They closed their businesses in the mid-1990's and Artis went to work for the Collins Family ShopRite stores. In 2006 Artis and Ruth moved to Delaware. In 2009, Artis lost his Ruth. He retired in 2015.
Artis was devoted to his friends and neighbors. He served for a number of years as a deacon at Berachah Baptist Church under Rev. Dr. Shine. Artis also performed in a few all-male gospel choirs at churches in Philadelphia. Among his favorite songs was "I Saw the Light"
On December 16, 2020, Artis went home.
He leaves mourning his absence, two daughters, Shirley Young of Kansas City, Mo, and Arica Young Miller (Eric Miller) of Alexandria, VA. Two grandchildren, Alex Chibogwu and Chloethiel Miller;5 sisters: Ms. Magalene Lawton, Ms. Inez Roper, Ms Norma Jean Leachman, Ms Clara Vinson and Marietta Styles; and 2 brothers, Floyd Billings and Percy Billings; and over 100 nieces, nephews; a host of cousins and many friends, including Skip Wells and Billy Grigsby
Memorial Services will be held at a later date to be announced.
Artis was raised by his beloved Great Aunt, Etta Mae Jackson and his Uncle WIll and surrounded with a large extended family including his Grandmother, Daisy Carter. Artis graduated Phelix High School in Sunset, Arkansas in 1957.After graduating from high school, Artis, with Dorothy Real, had a daughter, Shirley. He and Dororthy maintained a respectful relationship until his homegoing.
In the early 1960's Artis left Arkansas to explore the United States. He settled and worked in Chicago in the early 1960s where he entered the restaurant business, working his way up from busboy to the professional cook in top-flight restaurants such as The Pump Room. He enjoyed telling stories of his interactions with guests that ranged from major corporation CEOs to famed teamster, Jimmy Hoffa. Afterwards Artis made his way to a pastry school in Indiana and to visit his sister Magalen in Philadelphia. During this time, he began apprenticing with German and Swiss bakers and met the love of his life, Ruth. In 1967, Artis and Ruth married and 2 years later had a daughter, Arica Nicole
In 1973, Artis and Ruth purchased a bakery from one of his former employers in Nicetown, Philadelphia. Artis and Ruth expanded to an additional bakery in Germantown, Philadelphia. They closed their businesses in the mid-1990's and Artis went to work for the Collins Family ShopRite stores. In 2006 Artis and Ruth moved to Delaware. In 2009, Artis lost his Ruth. He retired in 2015.
Artis was devoted to his friends and neighbors. He served for a number of years as a deacon at Berachah Baptist Church under Rev. Dr. Shine. Artis also performed in a few all-male gospel choirs at churches in Philadelphia. Among his favorite songs was "I Saw the Light"
On December 16, 2020, Artis went home.
He leaves mourning his absence, two daughters, Shirley Young of Kansas City, Mo, and Arica Young Miller (Eric Miller) of Alexandria, VA. Two grandchildren, Alex Chibogwu and Chloethiel Miller;5 sisters: Ms. Magalene Lawton, Ms. Inez Roper, Ms Norma Jean Leachman, Ms Clara Vinson and Marietta Styles; and 2 brothers, Floyd Billings and Percy Billings; and over 100 nieces, nephews; a host of cousins and many friends, including Skip Wells and Billy Grigsby
Memorial Services will be held at a later date to be announced.