Curtis Young

Curtis Paul “Mule” Young, age 82, entered his eternal heavenly home on March 15, 2026. He was born the baby of four children to Ralph and Duel Young on May 18, 1943 in the Henry area of Franklin County, Virginia.Although Curtis did not finish high school, he was one of the smartest and sharpest people you could ever meet. He could figure out all sorts of math in his head without ever pulling out pencil or paper. He knew how to “wheel and deal” and was an expert card player. He was someone you could ask for sound and practical advice without it being sugar coated. He taught life lessons and offered sage advice to those coming up in the world and often helped them get their start in life. He helped countless people during his lifetime and never expected anything in return. Curtis was a friend to many and to have him as a friend meant you had someone you could always depend on. He was the true definition of what it meant to be a friend.In the mid 80s, Curtis along with Jimmy Young, opened Young’s Auto Sales. And in 1989, Curtis partnered with Dan Heckman at Franklin Rod and Gun. Curtis managed the pawn shop—something he thoroughly enjoyed doing. Curtis and Dan remained partners in business until it closed in 2007 but remained very close friends. Curtis also remained close to Steve Jordan who had worked at the store in those early days as a young man starting out in the world. Steve has said that Curtis “taught me a lot about life.”In addition to his parents, Curtis was preceded in death by his beloved brothers, Bruce Young and Aaron Young with Aaron living to the ripe old age of 90 and just passing a bit over two years ago. Curtis also had a sister, Pauline Elmore, who he absolutely adored. He was also preceded in death by his beautiful and loving fiancée, Ann Vaughn, who he walked hand in hand with on this earth for over 20 years. They shared beautiful memories thru their travels together with treasured friends to many bluegrass festivals on his RV and destinations throughout the United States including out west with one of his best friends Bob Adkins. Curtis and Ann also enjoyed and loved their beautiful mountain home on Marshall Hill Road in Ferrum. After Ann’s passing in 2019 due to cancer, Curtis was left with a deep hole in his heart and never fully regained that sparkle in his eye or his zest for life. After Ann’s passing, he lost precious friends—W.Q. (Quint) Overton, Ray Hatcher, and Jimmy Law. He is now reunited with all of these loved ones again.Left to cherish his memory are his son, Jeff Young (April), his daughter, Kim Bernard (Bo), grandchildren Tori Young, Taylor Young, Jaden Bernard, Jace Bernard, and Jordan Bernard, nephews Ronnie Young, Gary Young, and Ray Young, along with so many other treasured friends—in particular his friend for over 60 years, Coy Cooper.The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Linda and Brad Dalton for taking such good care of Curtis while he still living in Ferrum. The family would also like to thank the nursing staff at Franklin Health and Rehab and to all the staff of Hospice Services of Franklin County. Your love and kindness made Curtis’s final months on this earth brighter.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Curtis’s memory to Hospice Services of Franklin County or your favorite charity.Memorial services will be held 6:00 p.m. Friday, March 20, 2026 from Conner-Bowman Funeral Chapel with Pastor Ronald Coleman officiating. His family will be receiving friends from 5-6 p.m. prior to the service Friday evening at Conner-Bowman Funeral Home, 62 Virginia Market Place Dr., Rocky Mount, VA 24151.