With immeasurable sadness, our family announces the passing of our beautiful, elegant, and above-all, kind mother, Edith Cavell Young.  Named after the heroic World War I British nurse, Cavell was born to Stephen and Cynthia Mink of Volney in Grayson County. She lost her mother at the young age of two.  Her earliest memory was of sitting beside her father as he milked the cow, drinking the fresh milk given to her, and falling asleep on the barrel.  Her father raised her with help from Aunt Lettie and five beloved siblings:  Bill, Eva, Golda, Alma, Otha (Doc), and Clay.  Two siblings, Bayne and Halbert, died before she was born. Cavell remained close and steadfastly loyal to her siblings through the remainder of their days.

Cavell had an adventurous soul and loved to travel, completing four cross-country trips beginning with a solo train trip to California during World War II at the age of eighteen.  She enjoyed many different jobs including at a mushroom factory during the war, running a store at the top of Iron Mountain, secretarial jobs for the Town of Independence, assisting Dr. Givens in Independence, and as a veterinarian assistant.  Her second child, Cynthia Plummer, died at eight years old, teaching Cavell that life included tragedy as well as joy.  She mourned Cynthia completely and remembered her daughter always.  Her first daughter, Janet, was a light in her world and she traveled often to visit her in North Carolina and Tennessee.  Stepping off a street curb in Independence in 1962, she rekindled the friendship with the man who was driving the car that nearly hit her.  She married James Cleon (J.C.) Young and their beautiful, strong marriage brought two more children, James C. Young, Jr. (Jim) and Melanie Young McFadyen.

Upon retirement, Cavell re-dedicated herself to her family and community.  She was an active member of New Hope and Little Wilson United Methodist Churches, the Goodwill Grange, and enjoyed square-dancing with J.C. and many friends.  She enjoyed entertaining family and friends with huge Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations and could feed an army with her canned and frozen vegetables from the garden they kept.

Cavell was predeceased by her husband, her first two daughters, Janet and Cynthia, and Janet's son, Greg Waddell.  In addition to Melanie and Jim, Cavell leaves behind several well-loved grandkids: Mike Waddell, Mindy Wagoner, Kyle, Collin and Garran Young, Sara and Conor McFadyen and three treasured great-grandchildren: Garrett, Nolan, and Peyton Wagoner.

Memorial services will be conducted on Saturday, April 30, 2022, at 2:00 at the Little Wilson United Methodist Church in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.  Rev. Doug Turnmire will officiate.  Flowers will be appreciated or please consider a donation to The New Hope Cemetery Fund, c/o Tina Cunningham, 155 Bear Tree Lane, Troutdale, VA 24378.  Or, place a donation in memory of Cavell to Good Samaritan Hospice, Roanoke Office; 2408 Electric Road SW, Roanoke, VA 24018 (goodsam.care).