Ella Young

Lillian Ella Smith Young, 85, of Vidor, passed away on Monday, July 2, at her home, surrounded by her loved ones.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles John Young, Sr., in 1994, and by her brothers, Robert C. Smith and Samuel B. Smith.

Born in Beaumont in 1922 to the well-known Smith family who made boilers for the oil fields of Spindletop, Ella Young graduated from Beaumont High School and Lamar University with specialization in early childhood education and home economics.

After teaching in preschools in Beaumont, she taught kindergarten at Pine Forest Elementary public school in Vidor for many years, retiring in 1986.

She was a lifelong member of Westminster Presbyterian Church and active in many church programs until recent years.

Survivors include: Two sons and daughters-in-law, Charles John Young, Jr. and wife, Caryl, of Friendswood, TX; and Thomas A. Young and his wife Paulette, of St. Martinville, LA. Paulette was Ella?s constant companion, friend and loving caregiver in her final weeks.

A sister, Jnella Smith Collier of Beaumont.

Five grandchildren and spouses, Cynthia Young and Mark Burke of Cary, NC; Pandora Erin Young of Los Angeles, CA; Marvin Young of Indianola, MS; Calvin Young of St. Martinville, LA; and Penny and Eddie Daigle of Lake Charles, LA.

4 great-grandchildren, Jared Burke of Cary, NC; Stephen Young, Matthew Young, and Bradley Young, all of Indianola, MS.

A niece and namesake, Lillian Kay Smith of Austin, TX; a nephew and wife, Neil and Debbie Gowensmith of Hawaii; a great-nephew, Samuel Kai Gowensmith of Hawaii; a nephew and wife Elmo and Kathy Brown of Denver, CO; a niece and husband, Phyllis and Fred Zumwalt of Austin, TX.

And a daughter-in-love, Kathy Johnson Young of Apex, NC.

Funeral services will be on Friday, July 6 at 2:00 p.m. at the Claybar Kelley Watkins Funeral Home Chapel with interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held Thursday, July 5 at 4:00 p.m.