Annita Martha Lotus Young, age 94, passed away February 14, 2026. She was born in Longview, Washington, raised in Rosepine, Louisiana, but spent her last remaining years in Kelso, Tennessee.

She was the daughter of Ozan and Ethel Lotus Smith (Cox). She became a Christian at age 6 while attending Church of the Brethren. She married Carl Smith at the age of 16. She gave birth to 9 children, one of which was still born. After marriage, she became a member of Worldwide Church of God. She eventually left that church, but maintained a very close relationship with her Lord and Savior by listening to preachers on t.v. and reading her Bible everyday. When she could no longer read her Bible, she would listen to it.

Besides listening to the Bible and raising children, she loved to sew. She worked as a seamstress for several years in a sewing factory as well as making mops for Sh-mop. She also made suits, dresses, tuxes, and wedding dresses. She also made quilts and baby quilts for her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

She loved to tell stories of her childhood where she rode on the back of her brother's motorcycle, roller skated to school and fought with her sister over washing clothes. She loved babies and helped deliver a neighbor's baby as well as her daughter in law's. She was there when some of her grandchildren were born to help care for the newborn as well as the mother. She also enjoyed making baby quilts, playing dominoes with her grandchildren, and talking to people.

Once, she even made a friend out of a lady who dialed her number by mistake.

She believed in helping her family as best she could. To help her son's logging business, she drove an Iron Mule and loaded wood. To set an example for her grandchildren , she went back and got her GED while she was in her 60's. She taught children and grand children how to sew. Many times her family would call her and ask her to pray for them.

She is preceded in death by her parents Ozan and Ethel Smith, her brother Lindley Smith, her sister Vanna Maddox(Gene), her two husbands, Carl Calbert Smith and Volney Gail Young , and by her daughters Cindy Jo Smith, Carla Fay Smith and Lisa Sue Gentry, and son David Lynn Smith.

She is survived by her children Anita Burgess, Steve Smith (Joanne}, Calvin Smith, Martha Slawnikowski (Tim) and Dale Smith (DeAnna). She is also survived by three step children Arthur Young, Richard Young and Patsy Young.

She will be missed by all her children, grandchildren, great-grand children, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, step -grandchildren, church family and friends.

A memorial service for Annita Young is planned March 23, 2026 aound 1pm at Rosepine Cememtary in Rosepine, Louisianna. A light lunch will be served. For more information, please contact DeAnna Smith at youngannita@yahoo.com.

Please sign the guest book for the family.

The Cremation Company (615)730-7956