Jo Beth Landrum Young

For Christians, every Sunday is a celebration of Easter, because it represents the day Jesus conquered death. Sunday, September 17, at 3:50 AM, Jo Beth Landrum Young, joined the Easter Parade. “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8

Jo Beth was a devoted “Mom” to her sons Ed, Ben, and Cliff, all of whom serve in the ministry. Ed is the pastor of Fellowship Church in Grapevine, Texas. Ben and Cliff serve as pastors at Second Baptist Houston. She was the beloved “Mimi” of her eleven grandchildren: LeeBeth, E. J., Landra, Laurie, Nicole, Claire, Rachel, Susannah, Benjamin, Bekah, and Samuel, and great grandmother to Sterling. Most of all, she was the beloved “Joby” to her husband, Dr. Ed Young. Edwin, as she called him, and Jo Beth were married for 58 years. When asked how they first met, they would answer with a smile on their faces, “We met as babies in the church nursery.” Natives of Laurel, Mississippi, they both attended First Baptist Church with their families and dated throughout high school and college.

A genuine lover of people, Jo Beth knew no strangers. From her smile, her laugh, and her wink to her expressions of concern or empathy, to speak with Jo Beth was to connect to a woman who always had time to listen. She never forgot a name. If she met you, she remembered you, and genuinely cared about you. This started early in life as a girl in Laurel, Mississippi. She loved people and people loved her. She had the gift of making others feel welcome. In high school, she was voted Miss Laurel High School, and received the highest honor, the Lauren Rogers Award, which was voted on by both faculty and students. After graduation, she attended Blue Mountain College, where she was named to the Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges. As outstanding as Jo Beth always was, her longest and most cherished role was behind the scenes as a pastor’s wife, supporting her beloved husband. She made as great of an impact behind the scenes, as she had center stage. She truly extended the arms of the pastor and church to the membership and surrounding community.

Jo Beth was described recently as a woman of substance and of service. Her family would be the first to agree and to tell you she modeled the love of 1 Corinthians 13 and the “blessed woman” of Proverbs 31. As a gifted teacher of God’s Word, Jo Beth faithfully taught Bible study classes, often on multiple campuses. Perhaps her greatest teaching was simply the way she led her life. It reflected the warmth and kindness of Jesus. Her smile never faded, her grace never wavered, and her caring spirit lives on in the many lives she touched even during her health struggles.

Her mother Katherine Cooper Landrum and father G.B. Landrum were waiting for her in heaven. In addition to her husband, children and grandchildren, she is survived by her beloved sister Kathy Landrum Sanderson and husband Joe, her brother G. Barry Landrum III and wife Charlotte, and sister-in-law Debbie Young.

She led her life in the selfless way that draws others to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Her life will be celebrated Thursday, September 21, at 1:00 PM at Second Baptist Church in the Worship Center, 6400 Woodway, Houston, Texas.

Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be sent to Second Baptist Church designated for The Winning Walk Ministry, 6400 Woodway, Houston, Texas 77057.

Arrangements under the direction of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Directors, Houston, TX.