Blog Post
Pattie Harris Young was born on July 15, 1934 in Henderson, North Carolina to the late Edward Allen Sr and Ethel Harris. She departed this life on February 14, 2021, in Raleigh NC after a lengthy illness.
As a young child, Pattie and her mother left North Carolina and settled in Atlantic City. Her mother enrolled her in Atlantic City Schools which she attended until she graduated from Atlantic City High School. Pattie continued her post-secondary education and due to her numerous accomplishments and attributes became a Ph.D. candidate of the Union Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Pattie fell in love with dance when her mother enrolled her in local dance classes soon after moving to Atlantic City. She furthered her dance education while in school by attending summer sessions at the prestigious American School of Ballet in New York City. Additional professional training included: Dance Theatre of Harlem, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Luigi’s Jazz Center and many other legendary schools around the world.
Pattie was a lifelong performer and participant in the Arts. She was an actress, choreographer, costume designer, dancer, dance instructor, Playwright, and vocalist. She was a member of the Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG/AFTRA) and received numerous professional, cultural and civic awards. Some career highlights include: performances at Club Harlem and 500 Club in Atlantic City; Frolics in Boston, MA; El Morocco in Montreal, Canada; and two tours in West Germany. BROADWAY - Hello Dolly and Purlie. MOVIES - Amazing Grace, Gordon’s War, and Cotton Comes to Harlem. TELEVISION: appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show and numerous commercials including Schaefer Beer, Wise Potato Chips and Met Life.
Pattie loved performing but her passion was sharing her love of dance with others through education and instruction. She taught in schools in Atlantic City, Pleasantville and other surrounding areas; in addition to colleges and universities throughout the state of New Jersey until “she opened her first dance school in Atlantic City in the 1960s. Pattie’s school thrived as one of 3 African-American dance schools that included Chloe Price’s and the Louise Forrest Johnson School of Dance”. (Atlantic City Weekly: Meet the Real Pattie Harris)
“By the 1970s, she was sure “local youth would not be able to effectively audition for dance or theatre work in the anticipated casino industry” so she founded the Atlantic City Dance Theatre above the old Sun-Ray Drugstore at Tennessee and Atlantic avenues”. (Atlantic City Weekly: Meet the Real Pattie Harris) “Pattie taught Jazz and Tap and occasionally brought in professionals from the Dance Theatre of Harlem to teach ballet and dancers from Alvin Ailey to teach African dance”. Pattie made sure her students had the best teachers she knew. Most of her former students, who affectionately called her Ms. Pattie, went on to pursue careers in New York, Los Angeles and other locations around the world. Pattie always told her students) “to be serious about a career, to seek those who know what you want to learn, to never be afraid to leave home, to spend the money you have to run with people who are doing what you want to do”, and to Keep on Keeping on!!” (Atlantic City Weekly: Meet the Real Pattie Harris
In addition to her parents, Pattie was predeceased by her beloved husband David Young, two brothers, Edward Jr and Donald Allen; stepson Regan Young Sr; two uncles, William A. and Morris Harris; and one Aunt, Jessie Harris Lassiter.
She leaves to cherish fond memories: her brother Jerry Allen (Gerri) of Coatesville, PA; step-grandson Regan Young (Anita) of Atlantic City, NJ; cousins, Morris Harris, Jr. of Philadelphia, PA, Troy Harris of Union City, GA, Ivan, Osmond and Angela Lassiter of New York; Darryl, Ethyln Lassiter and Darren McIver of Raleigh, NC; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Due to coronavirus, a private service (by invitation only) is being held February 27, 2021 (2:00pm) at Walter Sanders Funeral & Cremation Services 302 S. Bright Leaf Blvd., Smithfield, NC 27577.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of Pattie Harris Young to the:
Ruth Newman Shapiro Cancer Memorial, rnscancerandheartfund.org OR, Dementia Alliance of North Carolina
1. By gifting online by credit card In Memory of Pattie-Harris Young at www.DementiaNC.org/donate, or
2. By gifting with check donations, mail to the office at the following address:
Dementia Alliance of North Carolina 9131 Anson Way, Suite 206 Raleigh, NC 27615
A celebration of Life will be scheduled in Atlantic City, NJ later 2021. More information will be available soon.
Click on the Add Comments Line
below to leave a message for the family.
Guest Book
Family or Deceased Name: Pattie Harris Young
Your Name: Toni R. Jordan (Juliaetta, Sean & Nevaeh Jordan
Email: tonirjordan@gmail.com
Message: It is rare in one’s lifetime that you will meet a friend who is amazing, outgoing, spontaneous, fiercely protective, loyal, entertaining, spicesty w/ a heart of gold and all wrapped up into one person! This is the person I found in my forever friend whom I affectionately call Pattie-cake. With many, many happy tears, I now wish you adieu and farewell; your work down here is now completed. Please know that you will be surely missed by my family/your loving posse, yet forever in ur hearts! I am a better person Pattie-cake for your having been in my life at just the right time. Thanks for the adventure! Say hello to your Jud-di-jut and Seanie-Pooh for me and don’t forget to keep a good watch! Well Pattie-cake, until we meet again, I love you, your Toni-baroni.
Date: 02252021
Family or Deceased Name: Pattie Harris Young
Your Name: Nastassia A. Davis
Email: nastassiadavis@gmail.com
Message: I've had the honor and pleasure of knowing Ms. Pattie since I was 5 years old, when I took her dance classes at Westside Complex in Atlantic City, NJ in an after school program. Into my adulthood, she always supported me as an artist and was the kindest woman, always with a smile and encouraging word whenever we ran into each other. Just as she did with everyone she knew!
When I heard the news about Pattie's passing, I immediately thought about our last phone conversation on October 25, 2020. I had the privilege to interview Ms. Pattie (thanks to Sharone Brown-Jackson and her caretaker and cousin, Ethyln Lassiter) and we laughed and talked for a good half-hour. She was so pleasant and giddy, reminiscing about her life as a professional dancer on Broadway in “Hello, Dolly!” and “Purlie”. She talked about how she became a showgirl in the now-defunct Club Harlem on Kentucky Ave in Atlantic City by boldly approaching producer Larry Steele. We talked about the dance studio she founded called the “Atlantic City Dance Theater” where she taught many students in Atlantic City. She never tried putting fear in her students, always encouraged them to have a "go-getter" spirit and to go after whatever they wanted in life. Toward the end, my friend and I asked her about her signature Mohawk, which was colorfully dyed every time you saw her. She proudly proclaimed, “I still got it! (Laughs) I still got my Mohawk; I don’t care what they say! The Mohawk is beautiful."
God, thank you for her passion and fearlessness and for allowing her to show us the way. I am here today because of her and so many other beautiful black women who came before me, who gave their all. Ms. Pattie Harris, true Queen, I love you and will miss you so!
Date: Feb 24, 2021
Family or Deceased Name: Patti Harris Young
Your Name: Rosalind & Nelson Norrell-Nance
Email: liznn@comcast.net
Message: You were my mentor , dance teacher & friend since I was five years old & started lessons at your first studio, Dance Craft. You will be missed, but will live on in our hearts forever. Rest In Peace & Power! Keep on Keeping On!
Date: 2252021
Family or Deceased Name: Patti Harris-Young
Your Name: Desiree Couch-Davis
Email: Desireedavis22@gmail.com
Message: Dear Patti I am Blessed to have known you and I will always have great memories of you coming down with my mom for every occasion! I was very proud to know you Patti! Your being will live on in my heart, mind and spirit!! I love and miss you! This is from Sandy, Desiree, Cheryl and little Sandi Forever R. I. P.๐๐น
Date: 3024096274
Family or Deceased Name: Patti Harris Young
Your Name: Billie Jane Boyer Maul
Email:: bjmaul@comcast.net
Message: Rest in peace, my beautiful and charming high school classmate. I can see your smile as I write this condolence note to your family. You were loved and will always be remembered.
Date:6092897445
Family or Deceased Name: Pattie Harris
Your Name: Elizabeth Mitchell-Brown
Email: ebrowncgu@hotmail.com
Message: Nothing but love and fond memories during my time at Ms. Pattie's school. She was such a generous and selfless person who cared deeply about her students. RIH
Date: 2/21/2021
Family or Deceased Name: Pattie Harris
Your Name: Turiya and Hassan Abdur-Raheem
Email: turiyasaraheem@yahoo.com
Message: With so many fond memories as a family friend and fellow artist. She has been and will be really missed in Atlantic City. Truly one of a kind.
Date: 2/22/21
Family or Deceased Name: Pattie Harris
Your Name: Eddie Morgan
Email: etmorgan14@msn.com
Message: With a heavy heart I share this info. Remembering all the Great Times I shared with her throughout my Life I’ll never forget Her, RIP Pattieโค๏ธ๐๐พ๐๐พ๐น
Date: 22121
Click Here To Add Comments For Obituary Postings