Mary Joyce Youngs, 91, of Columbia passed away Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at the Janet Wright Care Facility in Greensburg. She was born on August 16, 1932 in Cortland, New York to the late William and Rose Fenton Allen. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard A. Youngs.
She was known to friends and family as Joyce. She grew up on a farm in Dryden, New York and attended Dryden High School. Always artistic, in 1950 she created illustrations for her high school yearbook. While married, she participated in the correspondence art school founded by Norman Rockwell, further improving her art skills. She graduated from high school in three years instead of four. While in high school she played the violin in the high school orchestra.
She lived the majority of her life in Dryden, New York. She worked as a cashier in the local IGA store. There were only two grocery stores in that small town, she was well-known and liked. She enjoyed hiking on weekends with church members and family. Her children have many happy memories of those country walks. Among her interests was sewing. She taught her daughters and granddaughter how to sew aprons, dresses and skirts.
Joyce Youngs was an active member of the Cortland Seventh Day Adventist Church. For several years she taught in the church Beginners (kindergarten age) class. After retirement, Mrs. Youngs moved with her husband from New York State to Columbia to be closer to family. She joined the Columbia Seventh-day Adventist Church was actively involved and quickly made friends there and with her neighbors. She took another art class through correspondence to get back into her art.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Carol Peasley and five siblings, Shirley Armitage, Genevie Horton, Layton Allen, LeRoy Allen and John Allen.
Survivors include two daughters, Diane Wallace and Connie Youngs of Columbia; two grandchildren, Shawn Peasley and Heather Taft (Jonathan); and many other friends and relatives.
A private graveside service will be Thursday, June 6, 2024, at the Columbia Cemetery. There will be no visitation.
Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
