Jacqueline Young

Jacqueline Delores Young was the ultimate caretaker. She was happiest when nurturing living things - people, plants and flowers - and she spoiled them all with the loving way she cooked their favorite dishes, baked their mouth-watering desserts and gardened with precision.

Her bedroom was the hub of the house, especially for children. No matter the relation, they gravitated toward Jackie, and she managed to make them all feel special. Her grandchildren affectionately called her "Lucy" because she joked once that she was tired of them constantly calling her name, so she had decided to change her name to Lucy. The kids took it as permission to give their grandmother a permanent new title.

Jackie was born on May 15, 1956, and stayed true to her Portland, Tenn., roots for all of her 65 years. She gave her life to Christ at an early age and become a beloved member of the community at Parkers Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, but her desire to fellowship and praise God led her to visit many places of worship. Her spiritual caretaking involved a steadfast love and connection with people, too.

Jackie is survived by her children, Kenneth (Cathy) Young and Jon (Megan) Brewer; grandchildren, Michael Young, Elizabeth Young, Kylie Brewer, Henry Brewer, and Isla Brewer; mother, Addie Brewer; siblings, Gerald Brewer, Pamela (Rod) Hightower, Karen Brewer, and Nicole McCoy; beloved nephews, Jerry Brewer, Kyle Hightower, Tylen McCoy, and Shane Brewer; and two nieces, Jaime Middleton and Matekia Brewer.

She is preceded in death by her father, Lim Isaac Brewer; and one brother, Michael Brewer.

She lived with heartfelt simplicity. She invested in others. She challenged them to focus on what matters. She made sure the youth knew where home was and what love meant. She protected them fiercely. Her life seldom was about her. She was so adamant about staying in the background that it was difficult to get her to take pictures.

If you wanted to see her, you needed to visit. And when you saw her, you knew you were home.