Olive Leah Young

Olive Leah Young was born on the second day of June, 1924, the first child of Wayne and Willie (Light) Pitts. She entered her eternal rest on May 23, 2020 at her home with her family at her side. Her time spent here was 95 years, 11 months and 21 days. Seventy-seven of her years were spent with the true love of her life, Wayne, who loved and honored her until his last day on this earth. They were married on December 18, 1940 in Mountain View, Missouri. Five children were born to their union: Harold Dean, Robert Eugene, Everett Dewayne, Ronald Lee and Helen Delores.

During the first years of their marriage, Wayne and Olive lived on Ryer Island in California. When Wayne was called to the Army in 1944 she and the boys traveled with him wherever he was stationed in order to keep their family together. She spoke often of their long car trips across country from one post to the next trying to manage and care for four small boys. Those times were difficult to say the least but she sacrificed a simpler life to be by Wayne’s side as much as possible. After the war ended they lived and worked in California near other family members until 1948 when they purchased and moved to their farm in Shannon County where they both resided for the remainder of their days.

During the 1950’s Olive shared her talent for cooking with the community by operating a cafe. She and Wayne owned and operated restaurants in Summersville until 1976. Many lifetime friendships were made during those years. Countless people in the area have fond memories of the times they spent enjoying a home cooked meal and socializing at those establishments.

After retiring from the restaurant, she took on many hobbies including quilting and gardening. Over the years she blessed all of her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids and many others with beautiful handmade quilts. She and Wayne were well known for the huge garden they had every year. They continued to garden well into their nineties.

Among her favorite things, Olive loved to travel. She and Wayne traveled all over the United States with their camper, including a trip to Alaska. It was amazing, to what detail they recalled from the places they had been and their experiences. One story she told was about a time they were approaching a steep mountain pass that the officials warned them was difficult to climb, and encouraged them not to attempt. She said: “When the climb started becoming hard to pull, Wayne just put the truck in low gear and we kept right on going, taking it slow and steady until we reached the top. We showed them that we could do it! It was the most beautiful sight from the top of that mountain.” That story is symbolic of their life together. They worked hard, suffered much heartache in the loss of loved ones and struggled through many trials. But, regardless of what life brought their way, they kept going slow and steady until they reached the top, never giving in to the challenges they faced. Now, here they are at the top. Both have reached the top of the mountain and what a beautiful sight it must be! Well done, a life worthy of praise.

She has now joined her other family members who awaited her arrival in Heaven. Her parents, Wayne and Willie (Light) Pitts; Wayne’s parents, George and Easter (Odom) Young; Sons, Harold Dean, Robert Eugene, Everett Dewayne and his wife Geraldine and an infant daughter, Helen Delores; a brother, Clyde Pitts and his wife Pauline and a sister, Beulah Young.

Along with countless friends, neighbors and other family members, Olive leaves to celebrate her life, Ronald Young of Pittsburgh, MO; daughter-in-law, Myrtle Young of Summersville; granchildren, Cheryl Pringle, Deana Young, Shelly McNew(Kenny), Keith Young(Mary), Shawn Young(Laura), Bobbie Jo Cobble(Toby), Jeff Young(Terri), Robert Scott Young(Elaine), Jackie Lee(Darrell) and Anthony Young(Cheri); great-grandchildren, Kristin Kissee(Nick), Andrea Shatswell(Micah), Dylan Pringle, Kyli Plowman(Wyatt), Bayli McNew(Austin), Ryan Young, Adam Cobble(Mackenzie), Jase Cobble, Brandon Young, Brittany Young, Brookelyn Cooper, Maddison Cooper, Noah Lee, Stetson Lee, Joshua Young, Meagen Jenkins, and Emily Young; brother in law, Cordell Young of West Point, CA; sixteen great-grandchildren and special nieces, Sharon Pitts and Marilyn Howell of Summersville.