Jacquelyn Michele Young
October 15, 1959 ~ August 25, 2010
Resided in:
Candler, NC
On October 15, 1959, in Asheville, NC, a new member was added to the household of Jack Ernest Young and JoAnne Scruggs Young. The name they chose for her was Jacquelyn Michele. She grew up in Candler, NC, surrounded by the large families of both father and mother. Nothing thrilled her more than to be in the company of her cousins, which was made possible at her Grandmother Scruggs' house, who was the babysitter for many of them.
Michele was a 1977 graduate of Enka High School. Later, she made the decision to serve her country by enlisting in the U.S. Navy. She took her training at the Miramar Naval Base in San Diego, CA. Following her training there, she did a tour of duty in Spain. After her discharge and a short stay back home, she was moved back to San Diego and then later to Los Angeles, where she was employed by United Airlines Frequent Flyer program. She also attended, for three years, the California School of the Arts as a music student. In 2001, her father became ill so she moved back home to be near him.
Music was rapidly becoming her passion. As a result of this, she wrote many songs mostly about events and people in her life. After moving to New York City, where she was employed as an editorial assistant at the "Grapevine," an international publication for AA, she made several trips back to L.A. to do some recordings.
In November, 2006, she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. From that day forward, she fought the disease with a lion-like spirit. In October, 2008, she rode in the Tour de Pink, a 20-mile bike ride from Hershey, PA, to New York City, to raise money for the Young Women's Coalition of Breast Cancer Survivors. Never has anyone wanted more to live to the fullest. At 3:15 a.m. last Wednesday, God granted her that wish.
Michele was preceded in death by her father, Jack Ernest Young; her maternal grandparents, Harry Lee Scruggs, Sr., and Clara Gladdis Scruggs; and her paternal grandfather, Fred F. Young, all of Candler. Surviving are her mother, JoAnne Scruggs Young; two brothers, Phillip A. Young, and Frederick Lee Young; and paternal grandmother, Geneva H. Young, all of Candler. She is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, all of whom were very much loved by her. Michele had a presence about her which gained her many friends.
Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. is in charge of the arrangements. Her family will receive friends from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. on Monday, August 30 at the funeral home. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 31 at the funeral home with the Revs. David Scruggs (uncle of the deceased), Steve Fox, and Jimmy Dykes officiating. Her cousins will serve as pallbearers. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, in Enka.
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Dear Joann and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. May God bless you with his wonderful grace.
Love,
Carl, Kim, Colby & Connor Robinson
JoAnn and Family. We are so saddened to hear of Michelle’s death. Although we knew she was sick, we were still not prepared to lose her.It was so good to see her during the snowstorm last winter when she walked down to say hello. We know she is in a better place and no longer in pain. Our thoughts, prayers and love are with you.
Joanne.Our prayers are with you.Growng up as cousins she was always making us laugh.I know she is havng a wonderful reunion with her dad on the streets of gold.I am thankful I got to see her last december.May God comfort you.with deepest sympathy love janice,lynn and boys..
Joann, you are in our thoughts and prayers. We are here if you need us..Love Tonya, Shawn and Brijette
I have thought of Michelle many times through the years since we left high school. I am so sad to hear of her death.
Dear JoAnne and Family: I send each of you my Love and sorrow at Michele’s passing. She was a dear lady and I know she will be missed.
Love and Prayers, Helen
Though many years have passed since I have seen Michele, Michele will always hold a special place in our memories and heart. God bless your soul and God bless your family.
Joanne,
My memories of Michelle will always be of our time playing softball for Gray Wise. Michelle was short but tough. I remember she took a hit to her eye with a ball bat. But she still played the game. We where champions that year 21 wins and no losses. We went to State and placed 3rd. We had a great time that year. Dad and Jack where at all the games cheering us on.The last time I saw her was at Jack’s Funeral. She hugged me so tight and said where has the time gone? I look forward to catching a game with her, on the Lord’s field. God Bless! Love Ya!
Debra
To the Young Family: I only knew Jackie (as we knew her up here in NYC) for a couple of years, but in that time I got to know her not only as a tough, sweet, funny, and very determined woman, but as an excellent musician, as well. Despite her illness, she and I (and several other musicians) managed to play a half dozen performances of her music in the New York area in the last year and a half, and I’m just so proud to have known her and to have been influenced by her, both musically and professionally. I want you to know that she was SO proud of her family and of her North Carolina roots, and that she taught this upstate New York Yankee a whole lot about pride, family, toughness, and determination. I’ll never forget her. Rest in peace, Jackie….
Dear Joanne and family,
We are very sorry to hear the news about your daughter Michele. You will be in our thoughts and prayers during this sad time.
Sympathies and love to all,
Mary Sue and Junior Mason
Dear Joann and family, We are very sorry about your loss but it is wonderful to know that it is not goodbye but I will see you in a little while. Gods Grace is sufficient and I know he will see you through. You are in our thoughts and prayers… Love, Mark and Sheila
JoAnne and Family,
Each of you are in my thoughts and prayers. May God comfort you during this difficult time.
Dear Joann: Heard about Michele’s passing and although I did not know her, I know you cared deeply for her. I pray peace for you and yours. I value your friendship. May God pour his love on you.
Our hearts go out to you in your hour of need. We’ll join her again in Gloryland, then we’ll all sing around the throne eternal. What a blessed Homecoming that will be.
Michelle you will be missed so much. I loved everytime you came to visit the mountains. I so enjoyed this past winter when you walked over 2 miles in the snow and we got to sled. I will hold on to that memory forever. Blaike loved the Wicked stuff you brought her back this last time from NYC. You were a thoughtful and caring person. I Love You and will Miss You always!!
JoAnn and Family,
Machelle was a comrad rebel in my life when I met her. We played, Laughed and held life in our hands. (or so we thought) We grew up in a time when life seemed so care free. I remember when she came to visit me over the years when she was back in town. I was so happy to see that she was living her dream. I can never remember a time when Machelle ever raised her voice at another human being. What a peaceful person!! She was always Machelle as she and the rest of us (and we know who we are) grew into the people we were to become. Machelle (Jackie) I am thankful that you came by my shop and we shared some time together. Thanks for bringing your mom by it was good to see her. You were always your own drummer.You became self assured and lived a life continueing your dream. Thank you for being in my life my friend. You are a beautiful woman and you mean alot to me. I loved that you learned to play the piano because you always wanted to. I love your song ‘Ashes to Asheville’. Love the fact that you loved your family, friends and life itself. I look forward to seeing you again playing music. Long to sing with you lady.
Your friend,
Tammey
One of my earliest distinct memories of Michelle was playing at Granny’s house, outside, with Tracey and DeeDee, and Suzi, and some of the others that stayed there. Chris and Tammy were just little more than toddlers. Mickey wanted to play ‘band’ and she knew the words to songs that didn’t play on WWNC! So she was the ‘lead singer/guitarist’, (air variety, of course!) and the other girls and I were the backup singers. She sang ‘Spinning Wheel’ and we spun around like tops! She loved music from an early age. She had her own style and she was fearless! We’ll all miss you, Mickey!
So sorry for your loss. May God be with you in this time time of grief. God Bless your family Phyllis Raper
I went to school with Michelle and I am sorry for your lose. You are in my prayers.
I remember going to church and school with Michelle. She was always a joy to be around, and she will be missed. Please accept my prayers, and thoughts for her family. Terry
To the family of Michele,
She was such a good friend to me when we were younger. I know all to well how it feels to loose a child. Joanne, you are in my prayers, may God Bless you and wrap his loving arms around you and give you comfort and peace in the days, weeks, and months ahead.
Love, Kathy
I was a graduate of Enka in 1976 and I remember Michele well she was a classmate of my younger sister Debbie Luther. She will always be remembered.
I met ‘Jackie’ at a ‘support’ group here in NYC. At first you could see that even though she had a ‘frail’ look about her, SHE WAS A FIGHTER….’til the end!! I became friendly with her after exchanging phone numbers and calling her to see how she was doing. After one of her operatons, I came to help her with some ‘errands’ she had to do and could see it took alot out of her, but did she complain….@#$%^* NO!! She kept going and when she got tired, we went back to her apartment, so she could rest. I got to see her one last time, when we sat in Riverside Park and spoke about the last operation and her participation in a ‘clinical trial’, that she was looking forward to, in helping to give her a little bit more time. I will ALWAYS treasure her friendship, even though it was short and remember her singing one of her compositions with such conviction, it gives me ‘chills’ just thinking about it now. She is and was PRICELESS !!