Marcella Lorraine Young

She was called many things: "Gal" by her Daddy Will, "T-ni'chie-mama" by her Mama Cat, "Mrs. Young" by her students, "Mama Cella" by her grandkids, or just Marcella. But whatever she was called, Marcella Lorraine Young was an unstoppable 5'2" ball of energy, caring, compassion, helpfulness, and God's love. It was from that same ball of energy that she poured all she had into her family, her Bible study, her gardening, and ultimately her over 15-year fight against Multiple Myeloma. While she is resting in the Lord and no longer fighting cancer, we know she will resume the caring, compassion, and helpfulness in the earth made new.
Born in Los Angeles, California, on July 29, 1943, Marcella's growth and development were nourished and fostered by her mother, Geraldine Roane, and her Los Angeles family, who made sure she had a Seventh-Day Adventist Christian education. She attended LA Union and Lynwood Academy, spent summers at Camp Cedar Falls, and was active at Berean SDA Church. These experiences laid the foundation for a lifelong relationship with God, a love of Bible Study, and a love of camping that she would share with her children, grandchildren, and friends.
It was at a church youth exchange program (an MV Program) between Bakersfield Southside and Berean that Marcella saw a 6'2", dark-skinned brother standing "tall," as she would say, that she was drawn to welcome to Berean. With this welcome began a friendship and lifelong relationship with Troy Young, one that would take them to Pacific Union College in Angwin, Bakersfield, and ultimately all around the world.
Marcella married Troy Young at the then-new Berean SDA church in Los Angeles, California, on November 3, 1963, and moved to Bakersfield, California (a place she said she would never live, but later said she would not leave for love nor money). It was in Bakersfield that Marcella's family grew as she gained a grandfather in William Watkins, new aunts, and new siblings in Katherine, Saundra, and Wayne. It was in Bakersfield that her family grew further when she gave birth to a son, Canon, and a daughter, Portia. She continued to pour her love, care, compassion, and help into her family.
Marcella started her college career at Pacific Union College, having worked as a colporteur over the summer to pay for college. She ultimately graduated from Cal State Fresno with a degree in Education. This, however, was just a phase of her lifelong love of learning. She eventually became an elementary teacher and taught at McKinley Elementary School in Bakersfield for over 30 years. Years later, she would find a note that her mother wrote in her own Bible, praying that Marcella would either become a teacher or a nurse. Following her mother's prayer, Marcella became not just a teacher but a mentor teacher to countless teaching students and ultimately Teacher of the Year. A dedicated teacher, she prayed for, helped, and cared for her students. In her final days, it was one of her students who cared for her.
Marcella made sure to pass on her love of learning to her two children (sometimes in the form of summer homework) and her students (minus the summer homework). Never stopping learning, she took classes at UC Berkeley Extension, gardening classes, and high-performance driving classes. (While Troy might have taught her how to drive in a 1963 Corvair Monza, the student soon outperformed her teacher in these classes.)
Marcella also passed on her love of camping and an active life to her children and others. Just as she went to Camp Cedar Falls, she made sure to send her children to summer camp at Wawona in Yosemite. She spent time camping with them on the beach during computer camp and on trips with family and friends throughout California. An avid swimmer, Marcella frequently swam a mile in the morning and became a member of the 100-mile club at McMurtrey Aquatic Center. Later in life, she picked up running and became a three-time finisher of the LA Marathon. In all this, Marcella was inspired by and inspired those around her.
An avid student of the Bible, Marcella would wake early in the morning to spend time in study and prayer. She took numerous courses in Bible software and Bible study to enhance her knowledge of the Word and was a long-time member of Bible Study Fellowship. The focus of her study was always God's grace and love for mankind. She particularly enjoyed seeing how God's grace and love are manifested throughout scripture and should give us rest, peace, and assurance in our salvation.
Marcella kept a lot of notes on her mirror (along with her grandchildren's art and pictures) to remind her of her faith and trust in her Lord and Savior. In one of these, she wrote that "My sins [your sins] are forgiven solely because God loves me [and you]" not because of the things we do. This, she would say, is GRACE. She would want you to understand that "it is Jesus Christ, not the things we do or don't do, that is our salvation." She would argue that at the cross, the sinless Son of God took on His people's judgment upon Himself, and in His resurrection, everyone who trusts in Him may find assurance of a new life! God is not looking to catch us in sin or weigh our actions. As she noted, in Eden, God killed an animal, His creation, because He loved the sinners, Adam & Eve, so much that He covered up their sin. Similarly, God had a man (His son) killed, because He loved you and me so much that He covered our sins. Marcella was certain that "through Jesus, God's plan to redeem sinners is completed. Jesus' perfect life, death, and resurrection is the gospel, and "it is good."
At the same time, she had no tolerance for those who preach or teach contrary to the Bible and lack spiritual or theological integrity. More than once, Marcella successfully challenged teachers and pastors who taught or preached error as truth.
Never losing her love for gardening, Marcella traveled to garden shows throughout the Western United States. She took great pride in her garden, growing various fruits and vegetables, and plants that added style, color, and whimsy to her yard. Her pride in her yard and travel is something she shared with her cousins, Brent and Sandy Paul. Ultimately, Marcella took and passed the classes to become a Master Gardener.
After retiring, Marcella continued camping in her beloved Airstream, traveling over much of the western United States. One of her memorable trips was Family Camp at Leoni Meadows, which she said made her feel like a kid again. She was also able to cross many trips off her list, including visits to the Holy Land and the Mediterranean, China (including a walk on the Great Wall of China), Tibet, and a cruise on the Yangtze River. She also visited Tahiti, the Netherlands, England, France, and Monte Carlo (on an F1 weekend). Many of these trips included visits to gardens, including the tulip fields, the Buchart Gardens in Canada, the Japanese Garden in Monte Carlo, the gardens of Versailles, and the Garden of Gethsemane. But having started in reverse alphabetical order, she didn't quite make it to Alaska, the Amazon, Africa, or Australia.
Marcella loved family gatherings, be it camping in the backyard with her grandchildren, holidays with family and friends, or playing Uno into the evening. She could always be counted on to bring the most beautiful, colorful, and healthy salads.
Marcella is survived by her husband of over 60 years, Troy Young, and her children, Canon (and his wife, Pamela), and Portia. She also leaves behind siblings by marriage, Katherine Rupert and Wayne Wafford (and his wife, Rene), nieces June "Junie Moonie" Evans, Evelyn Rupert, and Jessica Wafford, and a nephew, Michael Rupert. She also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren, Samantha, Sydney, Gabrielle, and Canon Jr., on whom she made every effort to make an indelible mark and plant spiritual seeds and memories that will bear fruit over a lifetime. She will be deeply missed by countless other family, friends, and loved ones. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Marcella, please visit our Tree Store.