Anita Kay Young
July 1, 1956 - October 5, 2023

Our beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Anita Kay Green McKenzie Young, entered into eternal peace with her family by her side, at her home in Jacksonville, Texas, on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at the age of 67 years.

She will be lovingly remembered by her mother, Martha Green; husband of 8 years, Michael Young; daughters, Roxanna Briley (Ben); Renea Powell (Jeremy); grandchildren, Arian May (Landon), Press Alford (Avery), William Powell, RyLee Powell, Coty Martin, Conner Martin, Alex Briley, and Max Briley; great grandchildren, Greyson Alford, and Press Alford Jr. Stepchildren: Calvin McKenzie (Freda), Jody McKenzie (Amy), John Young (Kacie), Kara Harding (DeWayne), Micah Hennessy (Melissa), and Brittani Rogers; Step grandchildren Walker McKenzie, David McKenzie, Ben McKenzie, Jake McKenzie, Josh McKenzie, Wyatt Young, Vanna Young, Vivee Young, Knox Young, Vayda Young, Ronin Harding, Zahara Harding, Hudson Hennessy, Peyton Henessy, Isabella Rogers, and Autumn Rogers; brother, Rodney Green (Sherry); as well as numerous other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 13 years, Wayne McKenzie; brother, Perry Dean Green; and her father Tommy Green.

Anita was born on July 1, 1956, in Campbell, Texas, the first child of the late Tommy Green and Martha Caldwell. She married Michael Young on October 17, 2015. She graduated from Campbell High School in 1974. Anita spent many years working for both E-Systems and ESCO in Greenville, Texas, before she went back to college and obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree, from the University of Texas at Tyler, and began her dream career as a Paralegal. She loved not only her career, but also her co-workers at the Sinclair Law Office in Tyler, Texas, and was working there at the time of her death. Anita attended church regularly and was baptized at the age of 17. She spent many years as both a pianist and organist for the churches she attended. At the time of her death Anita was a member of the Lake Tyler Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas. Some of Anita's most precious memories are related to the time she spent during the 1980's - 1990's volunteering as the Junior High and Varsity Cheerleading Sponsor for the Campbell High School Indians and her work as a Miss Texas Scholarship Organization chaperone for both the Miss Commerce and Miss Greenville local competitions as well as volunteering at the state level of the pageant. Anita's passion for mentoring young women extended beyond her own daughters to both her cheer daughters and pageant daughters. She was driven by the hope that she could inspire and empower as many of these young women as she could to reach for and achieve their dreams and goals. Both activities garnered her many lifelong friends who have truly meant so much to her. We would be remiss not to mention her fur babies. Through the years Anita has had many beloved pets. She not only rescued pets but also volunteered at charitable pet organizations. If you happened to stop by the house to visit Anita on the weekend you would typically find her in a recliner watching television, while crocheting, with pets cuddled up all around her. Anita donated her crocheted blankets to hospitals for newborns and has adorned her home and the homes of her family and friends with many crocheted and handmade gifts. She could never sit entirely still and was always busy doing something. She also loved to travel in her spare time, including trips to various baseball parks to watch her Texas Rangers. Anita's travel experiences included Broadway musicals, cruises, and visiting historical monuments, she was extremely excited to tour the Supreme Court building in Washington D.C.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., on Friday, October 13, 2023, at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home in Greenville, Texas. A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at Prairie Valley Baptist Church located at 2417 FM 513 S, in Campbell, Texas under the direction of Coker-Mathews with Pastors Lance Lewis and Gary Vaughn officiating. The burial will immediately follow the funeral service at the Prairie Valley Cemetery which is located adjacent to the church.

Pallbearers will be Anita's cherished grandsons Landon, Press, William, Coty, Conner, Wyatt, and Max. Honorary Pallbearers are Walker, David, Ben, Jake, and Josh McKenzie.

The family wishes to send a special thank you to the staff at Heart to Heart Hospice of Jacksonville, Texas, especially nurse Natalie and nurse aide Georgia, for their kind and compassionate care of Anita while she was in her final weeks.

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