Obituary: Betty “Nana” Young
Betty “Nana” Young, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully at her home in Hickory Valley, Tennessee, on August 12, 2026. She was born on October 2, 1947, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Lowis Eldred Dougan and Betty Rolland Cothern Dougan, both of whom have gone before her and now welcome her with open arms.
Betty’s journey through life was one marked by devotion—to her family, her friends, and the values that grounded her. As a homemaker, she wove warmth, care, and steadfastness into the lives of those she held dear. She possessed a strength of spirit that resonated in every loving gesture, every word of encouragement, and every moment spent side by side with those she cherished.
Her life was brightened by her marriage to Donald E. “Duck” Young. They wed on December 31, 1988, creating a union that would be a source of joy and comfort for many years. Donald preceded her in death on June 24, 2021, but their partnership lives on in the hearts and memories of their family.
Betty’s legacy is reflected in the faces and hearts of those who survive her. She leaves behind her devoted children: Wendy Lewis, Tina Clark (Nickolas), Arisa Fletcher, Daniel Lewis (Jamie) James Fletcher (Tonya), each of whom carries a part of her loving spirit. She is also remembered by her brother, William Gregory Dougan, whose bond with Betty stood as a testimony to the enduring connection of siblings.
Among her most treasured joys were her grandchildren: Kayla Newman (Johnny), Bryttani Belue (Dustin) Devin Stamey (Morgan) Robert Fletcher (Gina), Michael Fletcher, Caden Fletcher, Zain Clark, Skylar Sparkman, Dillon Williams, Tierra Williams, Dariyan Allen, Lacey Lewis, (Mathew), Shannon Wilson, Taylor Godwin (Isaiah), Whitney O’Brian (Anthony) and 24 great grandchildren who enriched her days. Betty’s home was always filled with the laughter and energy of her grandchildren; these times were like golden threads weaving through the fabric of her life.
Betty was joined in friendship by Michelle Keith, whose support and companionship brought comfort and happiness over the years.
Her life was also marked by loss, as she remembered her father, Lowis Eldred Dougan, her mother, Betty Rolland Cothern Dougan, her brother, Lowis Eldred Dougan, Jr., and her beloved husband, Donald E. Young. Their memories remained close to her heart throughout her time on earth.
A woman of quiet faith, Betty was Baptist by upbringing and belief. Her daily life was animated by her love for simple pleasures: fishing on serene waters, feeling the steady gait of a horse beneath her, sewing with gentle patience, and most of all, the priceless moments she spent with her grandchildren.
To describe Betty’s legacy is to speak of loving hands that shaped family, a kind heart that never turned away a friend, and a life lived with grace and genuine warmth. Her absence leaves a void that cannot be filled, but her spirit remains ever-present in the lives of all who were blessed to know her.
Chapel services were 2 pm Friday, August 14, 2026, at Shackelford Funeral Directors in Bolivar with burial in Cearley Cemetery near Toone.
As those who loved Betty bid her a loving farewell, her memory will continue to shine brightly—an enduring beacon of caring, faith, and togetherness. Memorials in her name may be sent to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) or the American Lung Association (www.lung.org).
Courtesy of Shackelford Funeral Directors, Bolivar, Tennessee.
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