Barbara Young

Barbara Young, 90, of Valdosta, GA passed away on August 5, 2013 after a long illness.

Barbara was born in Stephenville, Newfoundland, Canada on June 21, 1923 to Philomena (nee March) and Alexander White. She was the second of 18 children. Her early years were filled with hard work, music, and fun as she sheared and carded wool, made hay, and helped care for her younger siblings.

In 1947, Barbara met her future husband John F. Young, a US Army Air Corps sergeant, while working as a telephone operator on Harmon Field, a US air base in Newfoundland. They were married in 1948. She traveled extensively for the next 27 years, had three children along the way, then settled in Valdosta in 1975.

Barbara enjoyed music, travel, crafts of all sorts, and was known for her humor and quick wit. While in Valdosta, she earned her GED - completing an education interrupted by family responsibilities - and worked for 17 years in a local health food store. She worked as a volunteer for the Red Cross and for South Georgia Medical Center. She became a familiar sight at the Valdosta Middle School track, walking 4 miles a night for many years. She was a long-time member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.

Barbara is survived by her husband of 65 years, John F. Young of Valdosta, sons Charles P. (Kathy) Young of Orange Park, FL, and John K. Young of Jacksonville, FL, daughter Teresa A. "Tracy" Young of Valdosta, sisters Mary Mullaly, Marina White, Edith Turner, Melinda Hillier, and Elaine Matthews, brothers Leslie White and Leonard White, aunt Marguerite O'Hara, granddaughters Keri, Amber, Ashley, Jessica, and Kimberly, four great-grandchildren, and scores of nieces and nephews.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Philomena and Alexander White, sisters Cecilia "Cis" Mendenhall and Alma Watts, and brothers Kevin White, Leroy White, and Herman White.

A Requiem Mass will be held on Friday, August 16, 2013, at 2:00 p.m., at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Presbyterian Home, 1901 West Screven Street, Quitman, Georgia 31643 or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 4002018, Des Moines, IA 50340-2018. Condolences to the family may be conveyed at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home and McLane Crematory of Valdosta.


Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602