Phyllis Burns Young

Phyllis Burns Young, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and devoted servant to her community and faith, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of grace, wisdom, and unwavering dedication to youth and family.

Born on January 12, 1930, in Brookhaven, Mississippi, Phyllis was the youngest of three children born to Lydia Nix Burns and James Ele Burns. She grew up alongside her siblings Frank and Hortense, attending Brookhaven schools where she was honored as “Miss Brookhaven High” and received the Citizenship Award upon graduation.

Phyllis pursued higher education with distinction, earning a double major in English Language and Literature and Latin from Baylor University, graduating cum laude. She continued her academic journey at the University of Michigan, where she earned a master’s degree in English Language and Literature.

After completing her studies, Phyllis returned to Brookhaven and married her fiancé, Ralph Young, a young attorney. Together, they began a life of adventure and service, moving first to El Dorado, Arkansas, where Ralph joined Lion Oil Company and their first son, David, was born. Phyllis began her teaching career in a small rural school, planting the seeds of her lifelong commitment to youth.

Their journey continued through Richardson, Texas, and Lafayette, Louisiana—where their second son, Ben, was born—before settling in Gulfport, Mississippi. There, Ralph practiced law for fifty years, and Phyllis embraced her role as homemaker, church leader, and community volunteer.

Phyllis’s heart was always with young people. She served as youth coordinator at Trinity Methodist Church and taught the Senior High Sunday School class. As PTA representative to Gulfport East High School, she formed lasting bonds with students and families. In 1988, she and Ralph co-founded the Mississippi Gulf Coast Youth for Christ, the region’s largest youth organization ministering to hundreds of middle and high school students each week and remained an active board member well into her 90s.

A gifted gardener and lifelong lover of plants and flowers, Phyllis inherited her green thumb from a family of horticulturists and was a proud member of the Green Thumb Garden Club. She cherished language and poetry, often writing her own verses, and held a deep love for the Christian church, the Bible, and above all, Jesus Christ.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband of 73 years, Ralph Young. She is survived by her sons David Young (Linda) and Ben Young (Debbie); grandchildren Amanda Savage and Jeff Young; and great-grandchildren Jack Savage, Will Savage, and Avery Young.

In honor of her lifelong commitment to youth ministry, memorials may be made to Mississippi Gulf Coast Youth for Christ.

Visitation will be on Monday, September 22, 2025, from 10 - 11 am at the Riemann Family Funeral Home, 11280 Three Rivers Rd, Gulfport. The funeral service will be at 11 am in the funeral home chapel. Interment will be in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens.