Elma Young

SOUTH PARIS – Elma “Gram” Young, devoted wife, mother, and grandmother and faithful follower of her Lord Jesus Christ. Born June 10, 1932 to Hazel and Elmer Shortridge, she had one sister Pearl Pain.

Married in 1950 to her beloved husband Earl Young, they had three sons, Carl, Dana, and Glen. Elma loved working at the greenhouse, side-by-side with her family and friends. Every year she could be seen smiling as she watered the numerous plants in all 14 greenhouses. Always interested in the lives of others, Elma took pleasure in meeting new customers and chatting with regulars. When not in the greenhouses, Elma enjoyed sewing and making quilts for all of her family and friends. She loved canning and making jams and pickles and frozen corn to give wintertime provisions to her family and friends.

Psalm 92:13-14 was one of Elma’s treasured Bible verses – Those who are planted in the house of the Lord, shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall bear fruit in their old age. For Gram, this was not merely a maxim to live by or a verse to memorize, but the truth of it was displayed for all to see throughout her life. Even in her final days and breaths here on earth, her heart and mind were bent in worship toward the Lord and love for friends, family and neighbors who may not yet know His saving power.

On May 3, 2022, surrounded by her loving family, Elma peacefully passed from this life into the next, now eternally face-to-face with her Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. As an old poem by C.T. Studd said, “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Elma was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Earl Young; sister, Pearl Pain. Left to honor her are her three children, Carl and Betty Young, Dana and Linda Young, Glen and Jackie Young; grandchildren, Pam Young, Sam Young, Danny Young, Tamsyn Frothingham, Amanda Cross, Benjamin Young, Gemma Young; 11 great- grandchildren.

A Celebration of Elma’s life will be held Sunday, May 15 at 3 p.m. at Young’s Greenhouse, 643 High Street, South Paris. Arrangements are under the care of chandler Funeral Home, 45 Main Street, South Paris. Online condolences may be shared with her family at http://www.chandlerfunerakls.com.