Young, Evalyn Spann

Longtime Educator Was Chattanooga History Maker

Monday, March 19, 2018

Evalyn Spann Young

Evalyn Spann Young, 91, passed away Thursday, March 15, 2018.

Mrs. Young is survived by sons, Harold (Cheryl) Young Jr; D'Wayne (Ruth) Young; daughter, D'Wauna (Jesse) Mann; two granddaughters, four great-grandchildren; several relatives and friends.

Services will be held at noon Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 501 South Moore Road, Chattanooga, TN 37412.

Interment will be in Forest Hills Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, March 20, 7pm-8pm at Trammell Chapel of Hardwick and Sons Funeral Home, 913 East MLK Blvd.

The Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Burial Service will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Trammell Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ladies of Charity of Chattanooga, 2821 Rossville Blvd, Chattanooga, TN 37407.

The Orangeburg, SC native was a longtime educator, volunteer and Chattanooga history maker. Mrs. Young was of the Catholic faith and was the last surviving member of the first Zetas initiated into Gamma Iota Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated in March 1948.

Mrs. Young graduated from Howard High School in 1942 at the age 15; from Spelman College in 1946 at age 19; and integrated the University of Chattanooga in 1963 where she earned her Masters Degree.

Her courageous determination to advance her education during racially turbulent times is chronicled in the film Reaching the Light: The Story of the Desegregation of the University of Chattanooga.

Mrs. Young taught for many years at Joseph E. Smith, Calvin Donaldson and Orchard Knob Elementary Schools. She was a Central Office-based itinerant reading teacher and Psychological Examiner. A guidance counselor assignment at Hardy Junior High resulted in a Director of Guidance position until her retirement. After retirement, she was a substitute teacher for the E.S.O.L. and Alternative School programs. Even decades after leaving the classroom, Mrs. Young was still recognized and stopped by former students who share how she impacted their education.

Mrs. Young volunteered for more than 30 years with the American Red Cross and through her beloved Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated of which she was a Golden Life member. Mrs. Young was the sole surviving member of the first five Zetas initiated into Gamma Iota Zeta Chapter when it was chartered March 2, 1948. Her active and financial service to her chapter continued for more than 68 years. She served on numerous boards and received several recognitions. She was a member of the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.

Zeta Phi Beta Service/Involvement:

Initiated on Gamma Iota Zeta’s charter date March 2, 1948

Has been an active and financial sorority member for 68 years

Charter member of the Myrtle and Viola Tyler National Legacy Club, 2016;

Golden Life Member since 1999: Life Member since December 1944;

Co-Marshal of 1989 Regional Conference at the Chattanooga Choo Choo

Co-Chairperson of 1986 Blue Revue

Served on many Blue Revue Committees

Served on the Chapter’s 50th Anniversary/Blue Revue 1998 Steering Committee

Founders’ Day

Finer Womanhood

Membership Intake

Numerous fundraisers including but not limited to March of Dimes; Muscular Dystrophy; NAACP; UNCF; American Diabetes Association; American Heart Association.

Registered and attended more than 50 Zeta conferences (state, regional and national) at her own expense

Volunteerism:

Chattanooga-Hamilton County Retired Teachers Association

American Red Cross

American Diabetes Association

Ladies of Charity

Chattanooga Human Services

American Heart Association

Memberships:

Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul & Parish Council

Women’s Guild of Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul

Catholic Charities Board