Mota (M.E.) Young, 101, of Bowling Green, died at 4:45 PM Thursday February 22, 2018 at Greenview Hospital.

The Richardsville, KY native was born on October 3rd, 1916 a son of the late Charles "Charlie" Young and Ollie Var Hudson Young Amos. He is also preceded in death by 4 brothers, Ray Young, Tauncie Young, James E. Young, and Bernard E. Young.

Mr. Young married Avanelle McGinnis and went on to serve in the KY National Guard and is an Army Veteran. During WWII he received the rank of corporal and was with the 3rd Armored Division. During his service to his country, he was assigned to an M4 Sherman Tank and held the role of Assistant Gunner. He saw action in France, Belgium, and Germany before the end of the war.

Mr. Young returned from the war to continue growing his family and take jobs driving for Fuqua Bus Lines (18 yrs) and Hildreth Oil (10 yrs) before retiring to assist with his son's family business. He and his wife attended Lehman Avenue Church of Christ where they enjoyed many years of friendship and worship.

Mota was always in touch with his roots, having grown up on a farm. He had a bountiful garden every year, well into his 90's. He and his son and daughter-in-law had a good-natured rivalry going as to who would produce the first ripe tomato each summer and who would have the best sweet corn. He was a champion at cornhole, even as a lefty, and put us all to shame at family gatherings where he always kept us entertained with his many jokes and stories. He was also a Skip-Bo "card shark" and spent many hours around the kitchen table playing with his family. M.E. was truly the patriarch of his clan and his beloved family learned so much by the example he lived, every day of his life.

Funeral Services are scheduled for 10:30AM Monday, February 26th, 2018 at Johnson-Vaughn-Phelps Funeral Home with burial, including military honors, in Fairview Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00PM to 6:00PM, Sunday, February 25th, 2018 at Johnson-Vaughn-Phelps Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be made at jvpfh.com.

He is survived by his wife of 81 years, Avanelle McGinnis Young; two sons, Royce Young and his wife Johnnie of Bowling Green, Robert Young and his wife Phyllis of Springfield, VA; one daughter, Linda Turbeville, wife of late John Turbeville. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Tim Young and his wife Angela, Dr. Cindy Young and her husband Rob Gouvas, Jeremy Young and his wife Amanda, Joshua Young and his wife Miranda, Seth Turbeville, and Johanna Young. Lastly, he is survived by eight great-grandchildren; one sister, Audrey Roberts of Bowling Green and several nieces & nephews, great nieces & nephews, and great-great nieces & nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Big Reedy Christian Camp c/o Lehman Avenue Church of Christ.