Elizabeth "Auntie Betty" (Fortes) Youngblood, 89, of East Freetown passed away Sunday September 1, 2019 after a long illness. She was the wife of James E. Youngblood and the late Richard Sylvia.
Born and raised in New Bedford, the daughter of the late Laura (Correia) and Edward Fortes, Sr., she lived in East Freetown for most of her life. She was a graduate of New Bedford High School.
Mrs. Youngblood was formerly employed as a secretary for Goodhue Lumber Company in Freetown.
She was a member of the Freetown Senior Citizens. She loved to travel and was extremely generous to those in need.
She is survived by her husband James; three daughters, Deborah Sylvia and Raechele Youngblood, both of New Bedford, and Michelle Youngblood of Belchertown; a brother, Edward Fortes, Jr. and his wife Marqueza "Mackie" of New Bedford; four grandchildren, Sarelle Sylvia-Costa, Blake, Gianna, and Ahanu Youngblood; and many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her daughter, Sheila Sylvia, and her siblings, Adeline Britto, Margaret "Peggy" Vieira, Olivia "Vivie" Britto, and Henry "Dick" Fortes.
Her Funeral will be held on Friday Sept. 6th at 8 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by her Funeral Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption Church at 9 AM. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Thursday Sept. 5th from 4-7 PM. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd St., New York, NY 10016. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.