Lena May Owens Young went home to be with her cherished Lord and Savior on Friday, December 23, 2011. She was the daughter of the late Jesse and Josephine "Josie" Owens. She was blessed with 102 years of life which she spent enjoying her family, church and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Young, her daughter Martha Louise Young Walser, her granddaughter, Linda Eileen Walser and her great-granddaughter Lauren Bacote. Three sisters Myrtle, Priscilla, and Viola, and two brothers Charlie and Turner "Jay" also preceded her in death.

Lena was a lifelong resident of Lexington, NC where she attended school and worked in the housekeeping industry. She was a committed Christian from an early age, and a lifelong member of Florida United Holy Church where she served in various capacities. She loved children and often there were many neighborhood children in her yard and on her porch. She knew each of them by name and always had something to share whether it was a nickel, a cookie or a scripture. She regularly shared her faith with all, and gave wise instruction on how to live a godly life. Her favorite scripture was the 23rd Psalm and she was able to quote it entirely from memory up to age 101.

Lena was a devoted wife and mother and when her only child passed away, she stepped in to give extra love and support to her grandchildren. She had a loving, gentle and humble spirit that was recognized by all. She was drawn to babies and they were drawn to her. It was quite common for the babies of strangers to reach for her when she walked into a store.

Lena's longevity was recognized on her 101st birthday with a letter from President and Mrs. Barack Obama and a party hosted by her sister Henrietta Meadows, and attended by many family and friends.

Lena leaves to cherish her memory and celebrate her homegoing, one sister, Henrietta Meadows of Georgia; 5 grandchildren, Calvin Walser Jr., Diane Walser Smith (Harold), Sharon Walser Glaster (Clarence), Sylvia Walser Gaddy, (Maurice), and Velma Walser. She also leaves a son-in-law, Rev. Dr. Horace C. Walser; and a granddaughter-in-law, Ann Mizell Walser. Her 13 great-grandchildren are Montesse Walser, Chancellor Walser, Johnette Walser, April Walser, Patrice Bacote, James Walser, Niyyah Glaster, Carla Walser, Ravon Rousseau, Irvin Armistead, Ryan Rousseau, Rashaun Rousseau, and Zarinah Glaster. Lena is also survived by 7 great-great grandchildren. She had a host of nieces and nephews including one nephew whom she helped to raise, and was devoted to, Aaron Owens of Lexington, NC.

Funeral services will be held at 1pm Friday, December 30, 2011 at Florida United Holy Church in Lexington, NC. Interment will follow in Forest Memorial Park Lexington, NC. The family visitation will be held from 12noon until 1pm on Friday at the Church.