And the spirit will return to God who gave it.

Lydia was born to William Smith and his wife, Vera Perry Smith September 29, 1946.  In the Smith home, Lydia was their first live -birth child, she was loved and nourished with their values. They raised her to know God and the gift of His son, Jesus; to value a good education; to work smart and serve her community. In 1972 she became the step-daughter of L.D. Perry when he married her widowed mother.  Lydia loved her stepfather and enjoyed being in his presence at many family and community events.  She was educated in the Savannah-Chatham Public School System, West Broad Street School; Alfred E Beach High School Class of 1964.  She graduated from Savannah State College B.S. Chemistry 1968 and from Savannah Technical College Associate Degree in Accounting 2005.

Lydia was baptized by the Rev Eugene Gates Lane at the First Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church when she was 8 years old.  In 1968 at First Tabernacle, she married Joseph Lee Young and he became her husband for her lifetime.  Joseph and Lydia chose well. 

In Lydia's professional Career she worked as a Chemist at Atomic Energy Commission, Burlington Iowa; Analytical Chemist, American Cyanamid Chemical Co.; Analytical Development Manager and Environmental Laboratory Coordinator for Kemira Pigments.  Following her 28 year career as a chemist she earned an accounting degree and worked for 12 years as an accountant and Office Manager of the Victory Drive Office of Jackson Hewitt Tax Service. Lydia was a leader and a mentor to many. She was kind and generous.  She had a sweet spirit.

Lydia joined Butler Presbyterian Church when she and her husband returned to Savannah from Iowa in 1969.  She worked diligently in the church.  In 1991 she was ordained an Elder. She also has served as Moderator of the Fiscal Affairs Ministry, a member of the Pickens Circle and the Congregational care and Witness Ministry.  In 2014 Lydia was named “Woman of the Year” by the Butler Presbyterian Women in recognition of her faithful service. Lydia served as a member of the board of directors of BRAVO Music Company and its ministry with the community’s youth.

Lydia joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority in 1965 while a student at Savannah State College.  She served as President of the undergraduate chapter in 1967-1968.  Upon graduation she joined the graduate chapter, Gamma Sigma Omega and served in numerous capacities including President, Vice President and Treasurer.  The chapter recently honored her for 50 years of membership and service to the sorority. Lydia was also active with Jack & Jill of America, Inc. She was President of the local chapter 1981-1983 and served as Treasurer of the Southeastern region. Lydia was a member of the Hodge Memorial Daycare Center Board of Managers.

Lydia enjoyed travel.  She and her family traveled throughout the United States visiting almost every state.  For their 25th Wedding Anniversary Lydia and Joe enjoyed a tour of 14 countries in Europe.  While Analytical Development Manager for Kemira, Lydia traveled to Finland   to meet her Finnish counterparts.  In 2010 she and Joe went to Tokyo, Japan to visit their son Joey.  In 2013 Lydia and Joe went on a European excursion with her sister, niece, and great-nephews.  In 2014 Lydia and Joe traveled to Malaga, Spain to visit Joey and his wife, Chikayo.  She was so happy to see her first grandchild, David during a planned visit to Savannah by Joey and his family in March. 

Lydia was happiest among family.  She enjoyed the simple treat of Vera spending the day with her taking her to get her hair done followed by lunch and the pictures of their day out posted by Vera on Facebook. She looked forward to attending graduations, weddings, the Atlanta battle of the bands, the Smith sisters rotating Thanksgiving specials and other family events.  She especially enjoyed the Smith, Perry and Young family reunions.  Lydia and Joe had already made their reservations for the Smith reunion scheduled for this September in Buffalo. N.Y.

Visiting with Family was everything!  Lydia’s life was well lived and she helped many along the way.  While we will miss her sweet, sweet spirit, we are confident she is at peace and her spirit has returned to God who gave it.

Lydia is survived by her husband of 48 years, Joseph Lee Young, children, Vera C. Young (Niesha), Joseph L. Young, Jr. (Chikayo), grandson, David Tsukahara Young, sister, Arelia Smith Langhorne (Howard), sisters in-law, Helen Young Bailey (Johnnie), Amelia Young Williams (James), Elinor Young   Johnson Jones (Sam), nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors and friends.

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