Yu-Xia Zhang

Yu-Xia Zhang was born on Feb 6, 1930 in Beijing, China. She passed away on Dec 6, 2016. She was born in a large working family and was the darling of the family. She and her family went through the Japanese occupation of China and National party civil war with the Communist. Even during the war torn years, her childhood was a happy one. She met her late husband Ming-Hung Shen in the late 1950s. They had a great loving marriage for over 50 plus years and raised four children.

During the Cultural Revolution, her family suffered greatly due to foreign relationship with relatives. While her husband was in the politic labor camp, she stayed strong and did everything possible to take care of the elder parents and her kids.

In January of 1981 she and her husband Ming-Hung Shen left China for America; with 3 suite cases, they started a new life at Birmingham, Alabama. She was in her 50's, but she worked extremely hard to provide for her children and family, with language barrier, she worked as house keeper for 15 plus years. We never heard her complain once. She always told us to keep a positive attitude and work hard.

In 1989, she and her late husband Ming-Hung Shen were naturalized as citizens of United States; she treasured and was proud of her US citizenship. She always reminded her children to be grateful for the this great country who provided opportunity and freedom.

She and her husband started their well earned retirement in their mid-60s. They traveled extensively and enjoyed every moment of it.

Yu-Xia Zhang was a traditional humble Chinese woman who exemplified the great value of honesty and hard work. She was respectful to the elders and she scarified so much so that her children would have a better life.