Sandra Kay (Mclaughlin) Young

Sandra Kay McLaughlin Young was born on January 26, 1950, in New Augusta, Mississippi. She was the fifth child born to WIllie Lawrence McLaughlin and Willie Rachael McSwain McLaughlin. At an early age, Kay joined Good Hope Baptist Church, in New Augusta, where she was a member of the Junior Choir and served as the choir's Secretary. She attended Sand Hill Elementary School (her maternal Aunt Idelia Harvey was her 3rd grade teacher) and later attended Perry Central High School in Beaumont, Mississippi. In 1967, Kay graduated as Valedictorian of her class. She was awarded a scholarship to attend Jackson State University (Jackson, MS) where, in May 1971, she again graduated with honors. Upon completion of undergraduate school, Kay continued her pursuit of higher education when she received an internship to further her studies at Tougaloo College (Jackson, MS). From there, Kay matriculated to The Ohio State University (Columbus, OH) where she obtained a Master's Degree as well as completed some coursework at the doctorate level. Kay would eventually meet and marry Raymond Lee Young and to their union, one child, Raymond Lateef Young, was born. After a longtime career as a dedicated, tireless Educator, Kay retired from employment within the Columbus City Schools and, together with her husband and business partner, the couple enjoyed traveling the world and experiencing new adventures as Co-Owners of Funtastic Tours and Travel. She believed life is a book and those who don't travel only read one page. After facing a brief, but courageous battle with her declining health, Kay passed away on Friday, May 17, 2013 at The Pickering House in Lancaster, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her parents, Willlie L. and Willie R. McLaughlin, brother Charles Edward McLaughlin, and sister Hortensia Bolton. Those who remain to celebrate and cherish memories of Kay are her loving husband, Raymond; son, Lateef of Miami, Florida; stepsons, Gerald Young and Jeffrey Young, both of Columbus, Ohio; sister, Dora Dean McLaughlin Mingo of Summit, Mississippi; brothers, Al Maurice (Erma) McLaughlin and Robert Earl Henry (Shirley) McLaughlin, both of New Augusta, Mississippi; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear friends.