Eva G. (Baker) Young of Tuckerman, Arkansas, departed this life at her home on Friday, January 19, 2024, at the age of 102. She was born October 14, 1921, in Charlotte, Arkansas, the daughter of Clarence and Laura (Kent) Baker.
Miss Eva Baker married Mr. James Norman Young on July 15, 1939. Together they shared 62 years, raised three sons, and enjoyed life as their family grew in number as grandchildren and great-grandchildren arrived. Mrs. Young was active in the family farming operation from its inception. She worked diligently to build the farm and support her husband, Norman, in producing crops and raising livestock. Her work ethic, along with her husband’s, was instilled into her three sons and on into her grandsons, Blake and Jim, who presently farm crops in Jackson County, and they still farm the original forty acres purchased back in 1946. They built a life with shared joys and enduring commitment. Mrs. Young’s dedication extended beyond her family, as she worked for Brown Shoe Factory in Newport, Arkansas and worked various jobs after World War II at the Newport Air Force Base. She was a devout member of the Northside Church of Christ and played an integral role in keeping her family engaged in the church community. Her faith was a guiding light in her life, and her commitment was evident as she received a well-deserved certificate of recognition from the Secretary of State Director of Elections for becoming the oldest active poll worker in the state of Arkansas. The city and community members of Tuckerman designated her 100th Birthday, October 14, 2021, “Eva Young Day” to show their love and appreciation.
Mrs. Young was a beloved and active member of the Tuckerman community. She was a charter member of the Extension Homemaker’s Club where she shared her love and talents for cooking, sewing, and quilting. She grew an enormous garden which she shared with family and friends. Mrs. Young also canned jams, jellies, and all of her fresh vegetables which her family would enjoy throughout the year. Her love for vegetable gardening, canning, and quilting showcased her creativity and resourcefulness, amazing everyone who knew her. Every Saturday she baked her famous Boston brown bread. Mrs. Young also used her talents as a business venture. Every Saturday for many years, she could be found at Tuckerman City Park selling her vegetables and baked goods to friends, neighbors, and passersby. Many truckers made sure their routes passed through Tuckerman on Saturday to pick up some of her fresh vegetables and bread. Her love and talents turned ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences.
Being an avid outdoorswoman, she enjoyed hunting deer and squirrels and fishing with her husband. They enjoyed camping and fishing all the lakes and camping in all the state parks in Arkansas and caught as many crappie as they possibly could. Mrs. Young was an avid Razorback basketball fan and for years displayed an illuminated Razorback hog in front of her house during basketball season. She also found joy in her time spent with her grand dogs, Woody and Amos, and enjoyed them so much. Mrs. Young’s generosity knew no bounds, and she became a source of support for all who knew her. She approached life with a servant spirit, always putting others before herself. Her devotion to her family and her role as a loving wife were unwavering.
Mrs. Young is preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, James Norman Young, Sr.; one grandson, Brian Russ Young; two brothers, Rufus Baker and William “Bill” Baker; a sister, Louise Sanders; and her parents, Clarence and Laura (Kent) Baker.
She is survived by three sons, James Norman Young, Jr. and wife, Nora, Ronald Lee “Tuffy” Young and wife, Nancy, and Tommy Lynn Young and wife, Amy, all of Tuckerman; six grandchildren, Ronald Blake Young and wife, Holly, Jennifer Ann Young-Harding, and James Norman “Jim” Young, III, and wife, Brandy, Haley Shoffner Jacobs and husband, Gunner, Cody Shoffner and wife, Danielle, and Andrew Shoffner; six great-grandchildren, Addison Harding, Kylan Young, Loren Young, James Norman Young, IV, Noah Young, and Asher Young; one great-great grandchild, Silas Jacobs.
Friends may visit at the funeral home Friday evening, January 26, 2024, beginning at 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Funeral services are at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 27, 2024, at Jackson’s Funeral Home Chapel, with interment following in Gracelawn Cemetery.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Blake Young, James Young, III, Addison Harding, Kylan Young, James Young, IV, Noah Young, Jennifer Young-Harding, Loren Young, and Asher Young. Honorary pallbearers are Joyce Scallion, Jenny Slagley, Robyn Calhoun, Pam Keller, and Ann Watson.
The Young Family would also like to extend a heartfelt appreciation to Mrs. Young’s caregivers throughout the years. Thank you to Joyce Scallion, Jenny Slagley, Hailey Clark Neeley-RN, Ann Watson, Meghan Smith, Whitley Brock, Robyn Calhoun, Amy Sheffer, Pam Keller, Heather Dotson, Becky Landrum, Jennifer Midgett, Pat Hugg, Brandy Baty, Allie Jones, Tayla Brownfield, Corey Warren-RN, and her hairdresser, Charleen Britt.
Memorial may be made to Trails to Tuckerman Historical Society at P.O. Box 976, Tuckerman, Arkansas 72473 and Jackson County 4-H c/o Agent, Matt Davis at 649 Jackson 917, Newport, Arkansas 72112.
