Doris Virginia Young
“Be still, and know that I am God…”
November 6, 1934 -November 20, 2019

Doris “Virginia” Young went home to be with the Lord Jesus Christ on Wednesday, November 20, 2019. She was called home suddenly and died peacefully in her home which is where she was always most comfortable this side of heaven. Virginia lived her life in service to Jesus and anyone around her. She was born in Battiest, Oklahoma. She was born the middle child of 10 children born to Samuel and Myra Merrill, including Henry, Wilfred, Elbert, Alma, Dreward, Vernon (Jib), Clyde, Juanita, Wanda and Carolyn.

Virginia eventually moved to California she married Hank Messner and together they had the pride and joy of her life her daughter Cynthia in 1972. After an unfortunate divorce Virginia met and married Ernie Young, he was the love of her life, and yet more proof of God working in her life. Ernie also had a son Ryan, from a previous marriage, and together they became a family.

Virginia built a career with the US Forest Service and retired after 25 years in 1998. During that time she and Ernie built the home she lived in and enjoyed retirement together while keeping busy with her family, community and her home church, Willow Creek Bible Church. You would find her there on Sunday mornings making sure the coffee was hot and ready and the cookies were as fresh and delicious as they could be also. This was her ministry and she truly enjoyed it while being in God’s service. Virginia also enjoyed gardening, cooking, canning as well as knitting and needlepoint crafts. Her true joy came from spending time in God’s word and in fellowship with Him.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Henry, Wilfred, Dreward, Vernon and Clyde. Also going before her were her sisters Alma and Juanita as well as the love of her life Ernie and her cousin Cliff Johnson. She is survived by her sisters Wanda and Carolyn her daughter Cynthia and her son David and husband Dave. She is also survived by her stepson Ryan and his sons Darrin and Shawn, along with Cliff’s wife, Karen Johnson and her family, Charis, Brett and Katrina, along with each of their families. As well as so many friends and neighbors that she loved.

Virginia always had a cup of tea or coffee for anyone who wanted to stop by for a visit. She was fiercely independent and more concerned about putting anyone out and would rather do things herself before “bothering” anyone to ask for help. Her grandson David held a special place in her heart and besides seeing Jesus face to face seeing her daughter and grandson were the things she most looked forward to. She made every effort to attend all of her grandson’s events whenever she could. None of them ever had a bigger fan then she was.

Virginia’s story starts and ends with Jesus Christ, He was her reason for doing everything and served Him with her whole heart, mind, body and soul. Even in the darkest of times her faith in Jesus is where she found what she needed to continue on. Her favorite verse was Psalms 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” She was a woman of prayer often spending many an afternoon in prayer for her family and friends all the while standing firm on God’s promises. It would be her joy to know that all who knew her also came to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. She lived her life in service to the Lord Jesus Christ and we stand firm in knowing that she was welcomed into heaven by Jesus Himself, saying “well done My good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.” Her work on earth was done and she had served God well and was both an example and a witness to His love, mercy and grace for all of her life. Her last thought she left for her daughter is something that needs to shared with all; “my dearest, please live your lives in the service of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is the wisest decision you can make.” She would certainly want to encourage anyone reading this to do just that.

Virginia will be laid to rest in a graveside service at Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Willow Creek on Saturday, December 7, 2019 beginning at 11:30 a.m. with a reception to follow at Willow Creek Bible Church with coffee, cookies and punch. This will be a time of fellowship and sharing as she would not want anyone to mourn for her. In fact she would confidently turn to her Bible where in I Thessalonians 5:16-18 we read “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

We will choose to rejoice in the Lord for all of the blessings Virginia was to each of us and for knowing that God is faithful, gracious and merciful and His promises are true so until we meet again Virginia in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Willow Creek Bible Church or the charity of your choice in Virginia’s name.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Virginia Young’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.