Elizabeth Mobley Young

Elizabeth Mobley Young entered this life on November 11, 1924, born to Marion Leon Mobley and Thelma Strong Mobley in Utica, Mississippi. Elizabeth finished her race peacefully at home on April 17, 2025, at the age of 100.

Elizabeth graduated from Hinds Community College in 1943 during World War II. She assisted the war effort by working for Foster General Hospital, a military hospital in Jackson. After the war she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Delta State University, and studied further at George Peabody College, University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University.

Elizabeth was musically talented, singing in her high school and college choirs and playing in the band at Hinds CC and Delta State. She sang in the sanctuary choir, served as the children’s choir director and played piano for church groups in her home churches in Jackson, Canton and Greenville. She also taught private piano lessons for several years.

In 1947, while at Delta State, she met and married James William Young, of Pheba, Mississippi, and celebrated 68 years of marriage before his death in 2015.

James and Elizabeth served Mississippi public schools in Dublin, Marks, Jackson, Canton and Greenville. Elizabeth taught business education, English and Social Studies. She loved teaching and loved her students. She sponsored various student groups and was selected as the Outstanding Teacher one year. She was a leader in various education associations, including the Mississippi Business Education Association and the Greenville and Mississippi Professional Educators. She was selected to serve on the Mississippi Congress of Parents and Teachers Association board of directors. Elizabeth was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, International and Phi Delta Kappa, both honorary education associations. Elizabeth retired from Greenville Public Schools in 1986.

Elizabeth was a leader on local, state and national levels of the American Association of University Women. She was also active in the Alice Bell Garden Club. The year she served as president, the Greenville club received the state president’s trophy, one of her most treasured awards.

Elizabeth and James enjoyed traveling. James was a member and past district governor of Rotary, so they especially enjoyed traveling to Rotary International Conventions at home and abroad. They were both Paul Harris Fellows.

Most importantly, Elizabeth loved the Lord and was active in her church wherever she and James lived. She was active in the music ministry and was a leader in the children’s Sunday School ministry. She was active in the Women’s Missionary Union, which was very important to her.

Elizabeth and James moved to Madison, MS in 1997 to be nearer to their children. They became active in FBC Madison, and enjoyed working as volunteers for several organizations, especially the International Ballet, and the French, Russian and Spanish international art exhibits in Jackson.

Elizabeth is predeceased by her parents and her husband, James William Young.

She is survived by her daughter Elizabeth Taylor (Tony) and son James (Jim) William Young, Jr. (Jackie), all of Madison. Her sisters Katherine Ramsey and Betty Denley of Utica, and Virgina Berry of Longview, Texas. Grandchildren Taylor Armstrong, Lauren (Hayes) Girod, Dionna Wood, Mike (Katie) Taylor, Annie Young, William (Faith) Young, Emily Young, and Mary Seitz (Cade) Spratlin. Great grandchildren Harper and Willow Armstrong, Mac, Arty and Mattie Lou Girod, Watkins Wood, and Bennett Young. A host of beloved nephews and nieces from both sides of the family whom all loved and adored her. Long time friends, new friends with Assisting Angels and the best neighbors in the world. Elizabeth will be missed by many.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Canopy Children’s Solutions, LeBonheur Hospital or First Baptist Church Madison.

A visitation for Elizabeth will be held Monday, April 21, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at First Baptist Church of Madison, 2100 Main St, Madison, Mississippi 39110, followed by a celebration of life service at 3:00 PM.