Celebrating the Life of Valarie Jean Rochester Young Service: Tuesday, February 27, 2024 8:30 AM Friendship Missionary Baptist Church 1023 S. Sultana Avenue Ontario, CA 91761 Pastor Larry A. Thomas, Officiating Sunrise: February 4, 1959 Sunset: February 13, 2024
On February 4, 1959, God purposely made the world a lot brighter by dispatching His angel and jewel, Valarie Jean Rochester Young. A precocious child, Valarie approached everything in life with a sense of urgency and purpose. She had a relentless ministry of help. Valarie was the epitome of kindness in motion. She led a life demonstrating unconditional love and understanding, always giving her best efforts and never settling for mediocrity. Accepting Christ as her personal Lord and Savior at the age of seven, Valarie was baptized at Zion Baptist Church by the late Dr. Leon H. Sullivan. She became a member of the Junior Usher Board and ascended through the ranks as a dedicated member and servant eventually becoming President of the auxiliary. Pursuing a career in law, she attended Rutgers Law School – Camden, and graduated with a Juris Doctorate in May 1983. Upon graduation, Valarie received a job opportunity in Anchorage AK, under the tutelage of the late M. Ashley Dickison, a Civil rights pioneer and the first Black American admitted to practice law in the state of Alaska. During the time spent in Anchorage, she was introduced to Edward L. Young and the two married on May 26, 1991. From this union they were blessed with four children; Edward Lee, II, David Michael Rochester, Catherine Taylor, and Jasmine Danielle. A devout Christian, she fellowshipped at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church and joined the Usher Board auxiliary in January 2023. Valarie started working for the office of the Public Defender, San Bernardino County in 1991. From 1993 -2000 she worked in South Carolina and Ohio. She worked relentlessly for 32 years and approached her position with grace, tenacity, and humility. Valarie was licensed to practice law in six (6) states: Alaska, California, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and South Carolina. She was nuanced with attention to detail and her ability to follow the book by the letter of the law allowed integrity of the highest order to constantly be on display. Her mantra, “Only what you do for Christ will last,” is how she gravitated through life as she operated from the position of always gravitating to the side of right, each time no matter who or what was in question. Valarie accomplished a great deal in her brief 65 years on Earth. She lived her life as a true example of a “Virtuous Woman” always putting the needs of others before her own. On February 13, 2024, Valarie Jean Rochester Young was summoned by God to take her rightful place in His home with our Heavenly Father. Valarie leaves to cherish her memory, husband Edward Lee Young; children Edward Lee Young II, David Michael Rochester Young, Catherine Taylor Young, and Jasmine Danielle Young; brothers Vincent A. Rochester, II and Vernon T. Rochester; best friend Velenta Duncan, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, a great niece and nephew, friends and colleagues. In Loving Memory of Valarie Jean Rochester
Order of Service Musical Prelude Processional.....................................................................................................................................Pastor / Family Scripture Reading Psalms 147: 3-7 ...........................................................................................................................Edward Young, II Romans 8: 12-18.........................................................................................................................Sister Bessie Davis Prayer................................................................................................................................ Pastor Larry A. Thomas Musical Selection .......................................................................................................................I’ll Wear A Crown Acknowledgments, Cards & Condolences Obituary..................................................................................................................................Ms. Velenta Duncan Resolution........................................................................................................................................ Sister Garland Reflections...........................................................Catherine Young, Vincent A. Rochester II, Vernon T. Rochester Eulogy ...............................................................................................................................Pastor Larry A. Thomas Usher Honors............................................................................................................................................................ Musical Selection ..................................................................................................................Take Me To The King Recessional
Every little thing Valarie did was magic. May the life she lived be an example of being able to stand in front of the Lord declaring, “I did my absolute best, and I could not do any more.” One of Valarie’s last expressions of words to live by was, “Cherish, celebrate, and be kind to the people that God places in your lives because one day, He is going to want them back.” Acknowledgments Our family wishes to thank each of you for the loving compassion that you have shown during our time of need. It is indeed a blessing from God. Your kind expressions of love have strengthened our faith, helped us accept the things we could not change, and reaffirmed the fact that others shared our lost. We have been blessed with prayers, cards, visits, telephone calls, contributions of food, and other gestures of thoughtfulness. Words Can never express just how much you mean to us! God Bless Each of You. Her Journey’s Just Begun
Vance Alexander Rochester Cedric Young Christopher Florence Anthony Duhu Lawrence King, Jr. Craig King Pallbearer Edward Young, II David Michael Rochester Young Vincent A. Rochester, II Vernon T. Rochester Michael Holmes Gerald Davis Interment Service Montecito Memorial Park 3520 E. Washington Street Colton, CA 92324 Honorary Pallbearer Final Arrangements Entrusted To: C. L. Lynch Mortuary 22939 Hawthorne Blvd., Suite 210. Torrance, Ca. 90505