Mother Ethel Mae Tobar Young

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” II Timothy 4:7 Ethel Mae Tobar Young was born on June 3, 1951, in Haynes, Arkansas, Lee County, to the late William “Bill” Tobar and Eva Scott Tobar. She was raised on the farm, where she learned early the values of hard work, responsibility, and perseverance, laboring faithfully alongside her family. Ethel received her early education in Lee County, Arkansas. As a young woman, she relocated from the family farm to Little Rock, Arkansas, with her family, where she later met and united in holy matrimony with William Charles Young. With a heart of compassion and a desire to serve others, Ethel pursued training in the nursing field and began a dedicated career in healthcare in West Memphis, Arkansas. She worked faithfully in various nursing homes and later devoted herself to private duty nursing, serving patients with dignity, patience, and care until her retirement. Ethel accepted Christ at an early age and was nurtured in the faith while attending church with her family. At the time of her passing, she was a faithful member of Saints’ Temple Church of God in Christ, under the leadership of Pastor Michael Johnson, where she served honorably as a Mother of the Church. She truly loved the house of the Lord, singing praises unto God, attending worship, and living a life that reflected her faith. In her quiet moments, she found joy in taking her walks and, above all, spending cherished time with her family. On Saturday, December 20, 2025, Ethel Mae Tobar Young peacefully transitioned from this earthly life at Methodist University Hospital North in Memphis, Tennessee. She was preceded in death by her parents, William “Bill” Tobar and Eva Scott Tobar; her beloved husband, William Charles Young; her siblings, Willie Tobar, Charlie Tobar, David Tobar, John Henry Tobar, Aaron Tobar, Steve Tobar, Louise Tobar, Luella Tobar, Walter “Pap” Tobar, Eloise Stokes, Lenora Young, and Lawrence Tobar; and her grandson, Dominique Terrell Tobar. Ethel leaves to cherish her precious memories her loving children, Odell Hudson and Mary Tobar, both of Forrest City, Arkansas; her grandchildren, Robert Tobar of Detroit, Michigan, Markus Boyce of West Memphis, Arkansas, Victoria (Michael) Tate of Forrest City, Arkansas, Cortez Tobar of Forrest City, Arkansas, Khadijah Jenkins of Longview, Texas, and Alazia M. Gardner of West Memphis, Arkansas; and her great-grandchildren, Robert Tobar, Jr. of Detroit, Michigan, Da’Kayia Flenoy of Forrest City, Arkansas, Jayden Tobar of Madison, Arkansas, Camora Boyce of West Memphis, Arkansas, Isaiah Thompson and Elijah Tate of Forrest City, Arkansas, Antone Gardner of Jonesboro, Arkansas, and LayLay and Royal Blue of West Memphis, Arkansas, Austin Taylor and Noah Taylor of Longview, Texas. She is also survived by her loving siblings, Lucille (Theodis) Haggins of Brinkley, Arkansas, Jerry Tobar of Palestine, Arkansas, and Sammy Tobar of Forrest City, Arkansas; very special friend, Missionary May Joyce (Frank) Butler of Forrest City, Arkansas; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends who will forever treasure her memory.

Mother Ethel Mae Tobar Young

June 3, 1951 - December 20, 2025