In Loving Memory

Velda Lena Young

Velda Young, a 22-year resident of Chewelah, WA passed away at her home on January 11, 2023 at the age of 96. She was born on December 3, 1926 in Lela, Texas, to Calvin "Cotton" Haws and Eloise (Pike) Haws.

Velda was the oldest of nine children born to Calvin and Eloise. She went to grade school in Lela, Texas and attended high school in Shamrock, Texas and was on the girls' basketball team.  She graduated in 1944.  Her younger years were spent hoeing and picking cotton, a task she did not like!  After graduation she moved to Childress, Texas where she worked in a cafe and met and married Arvel "Shorty" Redburn on November 16, 1944. They later moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma where she worked in the Woolworth store as a floorwalker and then as a bookkeeper. In July 1953 they moved to Plainview, Texas. They spent winters in Florida working for the Baker Castor Oil Company with the castor beans. Velda loved those winters exploring southern Florida. In November 1955 her husband Shorty died unexpectedly after going into a coma from a brain tumor.

In 1956 Velda moved to Amarillo, Texas, and got a job at the Air Force Base working as a morning report clerk. She learned of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and after reading the Book of Mormon and much study and prayer she was baptized on February 16, 1957. She attended a general conference of the Church in April of that year and thought Salt Lake so beautiful that she moved there in July. She was able to immediately get a job as a stenographer at the Social Security office. On her first day of work, she met her future husband, Carl Young. They were married in the Salt Lake City Temple on February 28, 1958. It was there that they adopted two children, Craig in 1961 and Diane in 1964.

Velda and Carl were married for 57 years before he died. She continued to work for the Social Security Administration on and off until she retired in 1990. Velda spent decades serving as a primary teacher for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which she loved. She also loved to sew, quilt, listen to music, do genealogy, scrapbook, play games, watch football especially BYU and Seahawks and travel. She and Carl visited every state in the union except two. In her later years she loved spending time with her family, especially her great-grandchildren. In true Velda fashion, her memories will roll through the hearts of those who knew her like a Texas Tornado with reflection of her strong-willed nature and spit-fire character.

Velda was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Young, parents Cotton and Eloise Haws, siblings, Pearl Coates, Lawrence Haws, Verdell Haws, Lavone Disney, Sharon Trainer, Calvin Haws, and Vickie Trainer.

She is survived by her children, Craig (Tami) Young of Post Falls, Idaho and Diane (Tyrone) Bryant of Chewelah, Washington.  Brother, Dexter (Beverly) Haws of Amarillo, Texas. Seven grandchildren, Brady Young of Grand Junction, Colorado, Natasha (Cody) Forbes of Santaquin, Utah, Kyle Young of Boise, Idaho, Lacey (David) Rasmussen of Deer Park, Washington, Amanda Egbert of Deer Park, Washington, Jacob Bryant of Valdez, Alaska, Joylyn (Alex) Izquierdo-Spencer of Spokane, Washington. Six great-grandchildren lan, Lincoln, Easton, Bridget, Emilia, and Kyler. And many nieces and nephews.

The visitation for Mrs. Velda L. Young will be open from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m., Monday - Wednesday, January 16th-18th, 2023 at the Danekas Funeral Chapel in Chewelah.  The funeral service then begins at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 19, 2023 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Chewelah.  The graveside service will follow at the Chewelah Memorial Park Cemetery in Chewelah, WA.  Memorial contributions may be given to Hospice of Spokane.  Please visit the on-line memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com.  Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory is entrusted with the arrangements.