Obituary of Diane Decell Young

Diane Decell Young was born in Brookhaven, Mississippi, on August 4, 1933, and passed away peacefully in her home on November 23rd, 2023, surrounded by family. She was the third child of Sarah Annelle Gordy Decell and Ralph Clark Decell. She was raised in Brookhaven by her parents and her aunt and uncle, Marjorie Gordy Swalm and Sherman Wesley Swalm, alongside her brother, Ralph Clark “Mickey” Decell, Jr., and her cousins, William Terry Swalm, Peter Gordy Swalm, and Sherman Wesley Swalm, Jr. Diane attended local schools, graduating from Brookhaven High School in 1951, with the distinction of achieving straight A’s every year, except for one B in math. She attended Mississippi State College for Women (now Mississippi University for Women) in Columbus, where she earned a degree in Library Science and was a lively member of the social club, the Jesters. Diane will always be remembered for her dormitory pranks, and her witty gossip column, Data from Diane, which ran in the college newspaper.

In the summer of 1954, Diane met the love of her life, George Marshall Young of Fort Worth, on a blind date. The two were married in June 1955 at the First Presbyterian Church of Brookhaven. After a honeymoon in New Orleans, she and George drove to Naval Base San Diego, where he was stationed, to begin their life together. Their first child, Marjorie Frances, was born in Fort Worth in 1956, and their subsequent children, Kelly Ann, George Jr., Sherman Stuart and Marshall Ralph were all born in Brookhaven, where George was employed as a geologist by Marshall R. Young Drilling Co. In 1966, the family moved to Fort Worth, where Diane learned to use a dial telephone, drive on a freeway, and feast on Joe T. Garcia’s Mexican food and margaritas. In the 60’s and 70’s, she enjoyed many happy days at the family camp at Eagle Mountain Lake, and in later years, leisure time at Deep Down Ranch near Paluxy, Texas. She loved travel and time spent with her family and dear friends in Aspen, Colorado, the South of France and Carmel by the Sea, California.

Diane enjoyed many friendships in Fort Worth, and always loved a party. She faithfully watched her children and grandchildren on baseball, football, soccer, and field hockey teams as well as cheerleading squads for the Trinity Valley Trojans, Fort Worth Country Day Falcons, and All Saints’ Episcopal School Saints. Diane was an empathetic listener, wise advisor, and took great pleasure in giving gifts for all occasions. She was a devoted and nurturing mother to her five children, their spouses, 15 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren (plus one on the way). She was a member of The Assembly, Jewel Charity, River Crest Country Club, the Fort Worth Club, and St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. She was a decades-long board member of the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.

Diane was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 61 years, George, her parents, aunts and uncles, brothers, Don and Mickey Decell, in-laws, Frances and Marshall Roberts Young, and brothers-in-law Marshall Roberts Young, Jr., Carroll Ridgley Young, William Kelly Young and Frank Graves Young.

She is survived by her children Margie Lilly (Bob), Kelly Ann Ewin (Chris), George Young, Jr. (Linda), Sherman Young, Sr., and Marshall Young, Sr. (Susan). Her grandchildren are Elyse Diane Lilly Cann, Laura Slaughter Lilly (Justin), Lindsay Ann Bond Griffin (R.J.), Lauren Decell Bond Holcomb (Dylan), Mary Marshall Dyess Smith (Kyle), Caroline Kelly Dyess Crawford (Will), Diane Adair Ewin Shannon (John), Christina Ann Ewin, George Marshall Young III, Catherine Clay Young, Jordan Christopher Young, Sherman Stuart Young, Jr. (Jill), Carlson Elizabeth Young Innis (Isom), Marshall Ralph Young, Jr. (Kathleen) and Susannah Griffin Young West (Stephen).

Her great-grandchildren are Carlin Carrington Cann, Robert Pearce Cann, Scotlyn Elyse Lilly, Fiona Wren Lilly, Quinton Charles Griffin, Jack Young Griffin, Lindsay Mattison Morgan, Emily Lea Morgan, Marshall Collier Morgan, Lindan Cooper Holcomb, Annabelle Marshall Smith, Mary Wesley Smith, Margaret Grace Smith, William Stanley Crawford, Jr., Eloise Walker Crawford, Dabney Elizabeth Shannon, James Kelly Shannon, and Marshall Ralph Young, III. Diane is survived by her Young Bunch nieces and nephews, Shannon Elise Young Ray (Breck), Alison Adair Young Wright (Clif), Patrick Hunter Young (Amy) and William Kelly Young, Jr. (Anne) and their families. She is also survived by her Mississippi cousins and their families, and her sister-in-law, Patsy Decell Irwin of Baton Rouge, and her numerous Louisiana nieces and nephews.

Diane’s children would like to thank Dr. Robert Hart Kelly, Rocio Torres, Lupe Sandoval, Tonicia Adams, Bernadine Douglas and the staff of Comfort Keepers, especially Elaina Atkins, Kelly Brooks, Lady Chance and Francis Hatter, for many years of devoted care for their mother.

The family will gather for a private burial on November 30th, 2023. Afterward, they will welcome friends to celebrate Diane’s life at her Hereafter Party at 4:30 p.m. at River Crest Country Club.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Friends of the Fort Worth Public Library, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, or a charity of your choice.