My childhood memories are vast, so I will always have those.  Mary Ann, my beautiful aunt, was an integral part of our early years.  My three brothers and I were always welcomed into her home, whether when she lived in Knoxville, or when we visited in Florida through the years.  I am so thankful that I got to visit with her last year...10 days, with me thinking I was intruding for way too long, and she saying "Can't you just stay longer?".  She was always such a loving and caring person and the world was better for having her in it.  One thing I will truly miss is at the end of a phone call, or the end of a personal note inside a greeting card, she would always say "You know I love you kids like my own".  Well, this kid loved her like my own.

My Grandma was one of a kind and I was so blessed to have her in my life for over 35 years. I never really realized how special that was until now. She is one of my fondest memories growing up; always there no matter what. I remember going to church with her when I was younger. I remember her back scratches. I remember her picking us up from school every afternoon. I remember her being in the kitchen every day doing her crosswords, listening to her radio program- Rush Limbaugh before cooking us dinner. And boy do I remember her fried chicken! I remember her doing her trademark dance move, the shimmy. I remember her and her sewing machine when I would have her hem my skirts (she always thought they were too short). I remember the afternoon I was scheduled to take the test to get my Driver's License. I was so nervous. She stood outside in the driveway, for over an hour helping me practice parking; placing milk, gallon jugs in different spots creating fake parking spaces I could pull in and out of. My Grandma was beautiful inside and out. She loved Jesus and the Bible. To this day, I've never met another person so genuine and pure. She made me a better person and I will forever miss her. 

When Dad died, in 1983,  we had Mother to hold us together.  When we needed Mother she was always there for her children, and grandchildren.  She loved being a Mother,  Grandmother and Great Grandmother.  She was so active for all but the last few months of her 94 years.  She was so sharp with wit and sayings along with family history.  She said she was blessed to have lived in the country outside of Corbin and Corbin itself.  She was blessed to have the Grandparents and Parents she had along with the siblings.  She also said she was blessed to meet and marry Homer Young who was the only man in her life and was continually faithful to him through marriage and after death for the rest of her life.  She said she couldn't look Dad in the eye when she saw him in Heaven if she so much as dated another man so, she never did.  She said she had the best Husband and could never do better.  She was asked if she was ready to see Dad and she said "Oh yes"  I can't believe she's gone and don't think the pain will ever go away. She's in Heaven and we'll see her again. Remarkable how person could have so much love inside them.

Grandma Young was one of a kind, she had that southern charm and hospitality that made you feel so comfortable in her presence. She was so genuine and caring when she would ask me how my day was going. I remember her voice " so Cody, you having a good day so far?" She would always keep the conversation around you and never about herself. She never complained, she never had anything negative to say about anybody.  And she was always happy to see you. I believe because of that positive attitude on life she lived 94 spectacular years and molded an amazing family. 

I have been blessed with many things in my life, family being first and foremost.
Growing up I did not have a grandparent in my life, so I never understood what it meant to have one.
Mary Ann was there and involved in my life from the time when her only daughter (Jenny) and I started dating.  She set the bar very high for what a "mother in law" should be.  I received the gift of knowledge when she introduced me to the "Rush Limbaugh" radio show in the late 1980's.  She loved to listen to him and I soon understood why.  I received the gift of truly understanding God when I started attending Hillsdale Baptist Church with her some 12+ years ago when she told me I had to hear Pastor Travis Smith because no one taught the Bible like he did. 
Mom (as I called her) was involved in every part of our family life over the past 30 years.  From vacations to kids sporting events, dance recitals and family dinners, I could never imagine not having her with us.  She was the glue that held everyone together.  When we started our business, our motto was "Family First".  From "Mom" I came to understand that God did not put us on this earth to serve ourselves, but to serve others.
When "Mom" became ill we made sure that we were always with her 24/7 to watch over and care for her as she did for us throughout our family lifetime.
But her greatest gift to me came in her last days when a new RN came on duty and asked her who everyone was that was in the room.  When it came to me, she simply stated that this is 
"Rob, my Son in Law" and "My Best Friend".
I will never be honored with a greater gift in my lifetime, and I will forever miss her.


My Mom was truly my best friend and the best person I will ever have the privilege of knowing.  My heart is forever broken.  I was extremely blessed to have her in my life for as long as I did, and it still wasn't long enough.  I will dearly miss our daily talks, which were usually about nothing in particular, but meant the world to me.  I rest in the knowledge that I will one day see her again and that she is without pain now and in a much better place.  She is greatly loved and her presence will be forever missed. 

My grandma was truly one of the best people I have ever known in my life.  She absolutely loved being with her family and spoiled us grandkids like you wouldn’t believe. I remember when she would pick me up from school everyday, always with a cup of Coke (my favorite) in the car for me, I would be so excited to see her. She would take me to my dance classes, and never once missed a recital or school event. 
As I got older, I loved the weekly visits my grandma and I would have, especially when I became her hair stylist, so we could get her hair ready for church the next day. We talked on the phone every single day. I knew I could always talk to her about anything and everything. If I was stressed or upset about something, I always knew that after I talked to her about it, I’d feel so at peace and calm. She had that effect on everyone around her. 
Two things everyone knew about my grandma is first, how much of a KY wildcats fan she was. It’s because of her that I never see the right shade of blue as anything else but KY blue. Second, she loved going to church. She was an avid Christian and such a social butterfly at the services. I’d turn my head for one second and she’d be off chatting with anyone and everyone. 
My grandma was one of a kind and one of the most special people in the world. I would do anything to have her here with us again. The only comforting thought is that I know she’s up in heaven catching up with my grandpa, and having the best time. I know I’ll see her again one day, and that I’m greatly looking forward to. 

OBITUARY

Mary Ann Young

February 8, 1924 – February 5, 2019

Blount & Curry Funeral Home-Carrollwood

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