Jeanette Young

We celebrate the amazing life of Jeanette Young, beloved mother and wife, dedicated‬ ‭teacher, and compassionate friend, who left this world on May 28, 2025, at the age of‬‬‬ ‭87. Jeanette was a beacon of light in the lives of all who knew her, and her legacy of‬‬‬ ‭love and kindness will forever remain in our hearts.‬‬‬

Born on July 25, 1937, in Nanjemoy, Maryland, Jeanette was one of seven children born to Frank and Irene Waters. From a young age, she exhibited a passion for learning and a deep desire to help others. After earning her degree in Education from Bowie State‬ University, formerly known as Maryland State Teachers College at Bowie, she devoted‬ over 30 years of her life to teaching, inspiring countless students with her enthusiasm‬ and unwavering support. Jeanette believed that every child had the potential to ‬succeed, and she worked tirelessly to nurture their dreams, instilling in them a love for‬ knowledge and a sense of self-worth.‬

Jeanette’s classroom was a sanctuary where students felt safe, valued, and‬ encouraged to express themselves. Her innovative teaching methods and genuine care‬ for her students made her a beloved figure in the community. Many of her former‬ students have gone on to achieve great things, often crediting Jeanette as the catalyst‬ for their success. In 1974, she was selected as an “Outstanding Elementary Teacher of America” in recognition of her contributions to the advancement of elementary education and service to the community. In her last years as an educator, Jeanette went on to dedicate her‬ efforts working with special education students.‬

Outside of her dedication to teaching, Jeanette had a variety of hobbies and interests‬ that brought her joy and fulfillment. She was an avid reader, often losing herself in‬ novels that spanned genres from classic literature to contemporary fiction. Her love for‬ stories not only enriched her own life but also inspired her students to explore the world‬ of books.‬ Traveling was a passion of hers as well. Jeanette loved exploring new places, whether‬ it was a weekend getaway to a nearby town, a family vacation across the country, or‬ traveling abroad. She cherished the memories created during these trips and often‬ incorporated her travel experiences into her teaching, sharing stories and lessons‬ learned from different cultures.‬

Jeanette was also passionate about gardening and landscape design. She found peace‬ ‭and satisfaction in nurturing her flowers and creating a vibrant garden filled with colorful‬‬‬ ‭flowers and fresh vegetables. Jeanette deeply loved to sing and dance. She sang in the church choir and was always ready to twirl on the dance floor!‬‬

Jeanette is survived by her loving daughter Nicole and Son-In-Love, Tony, her siblings - Virginia Greene (late spouse Oliver Greene Sr), Shirley Chisley (late spouse Joseph Chisley), Frank Waters Jr (former spouse Alice Waters), Robert Waters (Cheryl Waters), David Waters (Doris Waters), and a host of family, friends and former students who will forever cherish her memory.‬ She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Irene Waters, her beloved‬ husband William Young, and her brother James Waters (survived by spouse Kathryn Waters).‬

Jeanette Young’s spirit will live on in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to‬ ‭know her. Her legacy of love, compassion, and dedication to education will continue to‬‬‬ ‭inspire generations to come. Rest in peace, dear Jeanette; you will be deeply missed.‬‬‬

A funeral service for Jeanette will be held Thursday, June 12, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Robert E. Evans Funeral Home, 16000 Annapolis Road, Bowie, MD 20715.

She will be interred in Arlington National Cemetery, 1 Memorial Ave, Arlington, VA 22211 at a later date.