Clothilde F. Young

On May 16th, 1925, a baby girl was born to the late Adelaide Williams Foster andlate London Foster. Clothilde, also known as Clo or grandma Clo, was the youngest of three siblings. This unique and special child would exhibit a sense of intelligence, bravery, and kindness throughout her life.

Growing up in Alexandria, Louisiana, Clo would play in front of her parents’ homeskipping rope, jumping hopscotch, and talking to neighbors who walked by. No tone for backing down or shrinking from a challenge, she studied hard in high school graduating as salutatorian of her senior class. However, despite her stellar academic achievement during the early 1940s, Pell federal student financial aid grant, New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), and other scholarship opportunities were non-existent for economically challenged African American students in America at that time. And with her father recently passing away, she secured employment at the local Five-and-Dime general store becoming their first African American cashier.

After the end of World War II, she married her long-time boyfriend, GI John Young from Alexandria subsequently moving to Jersey City, New Jersey as a part of the second wave of the great African American migration from the Deep South to the Northeast seeking better racial, social, and economic opportunities. Living with friends for two years, John and Clo eventually were able to purchase their first home in Roeneck Park, on Long Island in Amityville, a housing development that was open to all people in 1952.Two years later their first child, a boy, London Young was born. Sadly, three days later London transitioned from this life.However, Clo would give birth to her second child, a boy named Eric, and six years after that, John, her youngest was born.

During the 1970s and ‘80s, Clothilde would work as a quality control specialist with several different electronic companies on Long Island meeting and befriending a wide range of people. Many of these individuals would become her lifelong friends such as Mary Scott, and Maria McCreight to name a few. A member of St. John’s Baptist church during this period, Clo’s close friends were Sylvania Cofield, Junita Tweet, Nan Jones, and Catherine Holliman among others.Marjorie Pollard, Mary Chappell, and Maxine Turner would become friends from the local community.

Upon the passing of her husband John and later retirement, Clo would embark ona new career as a foster grandmother. In this position, she would help educate and love a young generation of three, four, and five-year-olds in addition to making new lifelong friends. Alison Webby, Alma Thomas, Tanisha Harris-Watson, and Ra y Beverly would become her surrogate family whom she loved and adored. Ray, in particular, would become her fourth son.

Clo loved learning and instilled the importance of education not only to her two sons but to everyone she met. Reading, watching the news, and participating in animated, lively debates were among her favorite past times. She even taught sewing! A classy dresser, she loved shopping, cooking, entertaining, and hunting for bargains. Always kind, compassionate, giving, and caring, Clo took the time to listen and counsel anyone who wanted her guidance.

Clothilde leaves behind many cherished memories of those who loved her. Preceding her in death were her husband John Young and two older brothers,Leroy and Eddie Foster. She is survived by her two sons, Eric and John, adopted daughter, Valerie Bishop Collins, and four cousins, Sandra Foster Moore, Gail Cannon, Louis Speed, and Nancy Speed. Nieces, Patricia Foster Learson, Linda Foster Noel, nephews, Eddie Foster Jr., and Edward Michael Foster. And a host of extended relatives, co-workers, and friends.
 

The Zoom Services for Mrs. Clothilde F. Young will go live on Monday, February 27, 2023 at 11:45 AM

Meeting ID #761 770 1065

Password: Young

Please Note: This service is provided with ZOOM access only. It will not work on any other Social Platform, you must have Zoom to participate.

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