Deborah Young-Martinez

Deborah Yvonne Young-Martinez went to be with our Lord on February 22, 2011, at the young age of 54. She was born on February 29, 1956, to Frank Young, Jr. and Joyce Shephard in Port Hueneme, Ca, and was lovingly raised by Joyce and Harold A. Shephard, her step-father.

Debbie was a life-long resident of Oxnard, Ca. After graduating from Oxnard Union High School in 1974, she attended Oxnard Beauty College and Ventura College earning an A.A. degree in Information Technology and Music. She married Orlando Martinez on June 14, 2003. Debbie was a talented and anointed pianist. At an early age she accepted the Lord and as a young adult worked in Trinity Baptist Church as the choir director and pianist. She worked tirelessly with musical groups and numerous area churches including New Life Christian Ministries, Saint Paul Baptist Church, New Trinity Baptist Church, Soul Harvest Christian Ministries and was known for her creativity, talent and inspiration. Debbie was a positive force in many people’s lives and encouraged their musical gifts, especially with children. Her music and kind spirit will be greatly missed.

Debbie is preceded in death by her grandfather, Cleo Cannon. She is survived by her husband, Orlando Martinez; her devoted mother, Joyce Shephard; father, Frank Young, Jr.; step-father, Harold A. Shephard and his wife Brenda. She also leaves to cherish her memories: her grandmother, Zephyr Cannon; five loving sisters and their husbands, Cynthia and Jim Smith, Regina and Clifford Marity, Cheryl and Brian Argrett, Veronica and Curtis Hotchkiss; sister, Beth Shephard; her brother Harold Shepard; God- daughter, Iyleah Monae Evans, and a host of nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, family members and friends.

Visitation will be from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 2nd, at Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura, CA 93003. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 3rd, with Visitation from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m., at St. Paul Baptist Church, 1777 Statham, Oxnard, CA 93033. Her brother The Reverend Curtis Hotchkiss will officiate. Burial will follow at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to be made to the Ted Mayr Funeral Home Attn: Deborah Young-Martinez, 3150 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura, CA 93003, (805) 643-9977.

Arrangements are under the direction of Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura, CA 93003. Condolences may be sent to www.tedmayrfuneralhome.com.