Alberta Younkins

Born July 24, 1924 in Yarrowsburg, Maryland, she was the daughter of the late Bruce Leonard and Mildred Sophia (Spencer) Higdon.  Her husband, Fred Harley Younkins, preceded her in death in 2002.

In earlier years, Alberta worked as a "Rosie the Riveter" at Fairchild Aircraft, and retired in 1987 from the Washington County Department of Aging. She spent most of her time as a homemaker taking care of her family.

She was a lifelong member of Brownsville Church of the Brethren in Brownsville, Maryland, where she was active in the Church youth groups when her children were younger.  She was active in 4H and did community service with the Washington County Department of Aging.

She enjoyed travel, having visited Alaska, Italy and Hawaii, and enjoyed vacationing in Florida with her husband after he retired.  She was a wonderful cook and hostess for family events and will be deeply missed by her grandchildren who will have many fond memories of time spent at the family home in Yarrowsburg.

She is survived by two daughters, Marsha L. Deal and husband Michael, and Jan M. Keefer and husband Richard, all of Bethany Beach, Delaware; one son, Gale H. Younkins of Grottoes, Virginia; five sisters, Helen L. Wenner of Sterling, Virginia, Anna L. Schultz of Winchester, Virginia, Ruth V. Smallwood and Jane D. Carey, both of Knoxville, and Brenda L. Johnson of Boone, Iowa; one brother, Leonard U. Higdon of Brownsville; and four grandchildren, Gabrielle Ryman of Woodstock, Virginia, Paul Younkins of Mt. Airy, Maryland, David Younkins of Spencerville, Maryland, and Scottland Keefer of Chicago, Illinois.  She is also survived by four great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by three brothers, W. Franklin Higdon, R. Eugene Higdon, and Glenn S. Higdon.

A funeral ceremony will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 28, 2012, at Brownsville Church of the Brethren, 1911 Rohrersville Road, Brownsville.  Rev. Alan M. Smith will officiate. Final resting place ceremonies will follow in the adjoining church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Brownsville Church of the Brethren, 1911 Rohrersville Road, Brownsville, Maryland,  21715.