Frances Shields Young

Fran was born in Akron, Ohio on June 16th, 1926, to Leonidas and Elizabeth Evans Shields. She lived with her family, first in Pennsylvania, then at the age of eight, moved to Murphy, North Carolina.

Fran attended Mars Hill College and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she studied economics and became a member of Chi Omega sorority. After college, Fran moved to Durham where she met a bright young surgeon with a quiet manner and gentle charm. Fran and W. Glenn Young, Jr married in February of 1952.

Fran was engaging, active, and energetic. A beautiful, charming southern lady, Fran was involved in numerous service and volunteer organizations in Durham. She had an especially strong commitment to her church, Blacknall Presbyterian, where she served as an Elder for many years, among other leadership roles. The life of the church and its congregation were close to her heart. She was a worker, taking care of the congregation, the building, and the church grounds. She went where the needs were, where her skills and gifts met those needs.

Fran had a lifelong love of learning and traveled extensively throughout her life. She was blessed to be able to travel well into her 80’s, including an African Safari at age 81 and adventures in Russia a few years later.

She was smart, inquisitive, loyal, independent, and funny; to some, she was affectionately called, “Feisty Fran”. She was an accomplished bridge player, organizer, hostess, and friend to all. In her later years Fran loved living at The Cedars of Chapel Hill, where she spent many happy, active hours with dear friends. Most of all, she loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Fran was predeceased by her husband of 52 years, W. Glenn Young, Jr (2004) and is survived by her children, William (Bill) Glenn Young III (Colleen) of New York City, Sally Young McElwee (Tommy) of Charlotte, Ellen Young Woltz (Ed) of Mount Airy, John Weaver Young (Pam) of Chapel Hill; grandchildren, Olivia Young, Dylan Young, Tom McElwee, John McElwee, Sarah Buchik (Nate), Jay Hull (Eva), Will Hull (Nancy), Teddy Hull (Coley), Moore Woltz (Addison), Osler Woltz (Carley), Bessie Rose Metcalf (Dylan), Rob Young, Molly Love (Dillon), ten great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Her family sincerely appreciates the staff and members at the Dubose Health Center and The Cedars of Chapel Hill who helped fill Fran’s last months with love, compassion, and laughter.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on August 23rd at Blacknall Presbyterian Church, 1902 Perry Street, Durham. Following the service, the family will receive friends at a reception in the Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Fran’s memory to Blacknall Presbyterian Church or Sunday Chapel Church at The Cedars of Chapel Hill, 510 Meadowmont Village, Suite 231, Chapel Hill, NC 27517.

The Young family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. Online condolences: www.hallwynne.com – select obituaries.