Alberta Young

Ms. Alberta Young, affectionately known to all as “Petie,” passed away peacefully on Friday, November 7, 2025, in Lansing, Michigan, at the age of 83.

Born on May 4, 1942, to Dan Young and Theresa Leggions in Little Rock, Arkansas, Petie was raised in Decatur, Illinois. She made the major decision to move to Lansing, Michigan, where she dedicated herself to raising her family.

Petie’s life was defined by hard work and a loving dedication to service. Her career included working as a talented cook for Tarpoff Catering, a spirited server at the Mustang Bar, and later, serving as a security guard and janitor for various State of Michigan buildings.

More than her professional roles, Petie will be remembered for her immense capacity to love and share. She had a deep, enduring passion for cooking, and was always ready and willing to feed anyone who stopped by her home. She was a constant source of support, always there to listen and share her rich life experiences with those around her. Petie also had a great fondness for old western television shows, and regularly entertained her family by observing, with perfect timing, that “Miss Kitty never kissed Marshall Dillion.”

Petie's generous spirit and warm presence will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

She leaves to cherish her memory; sons, Christopher Young, Tony Larkins, James Hart (Celestine), Edvardo (Pamela) Young, and bonus son, Michael (Donna) Edwards; grandchildren, Tatiana Hart of Lansing, Michigan, Jennifer Hart of Lansing, Michigan, Asia Hart of Lansing, Michigan, Amari Wells of Huntsville, Alabama, Ebonee (Daniel) Menig of Orlando, Florida, Sydney (Meghan) McMurry of Ft. Worth, Texas, Alexa (Kody) Fobear of Cadillac, Michigan, Robert Watkins, Lansing, Michigan, Heaven Hinton of Lansing, Michigan, and Tyrone Hinton of Atlanta, Georgia; many great-grandchildren; sister, Georgia Young; brothers, Gary Young, Oscar Young, and James Leggions; and many other relatives and friends.

Petie is preceded in death by daughter, Sharon “Cricket” Young; parents, Dan Young and Theresa Leggions; sisters, Mable Young, Elsie Young, and Denise Chapelle; and brothers, Robert Young, Dan Henry, Luther Young.