Elizabeth Jenkins Young

Elizabeth Jenkins Young died on Ash Wednesday, February 22, 2012.

Born at Brick House Plantation on Edisto Island, SC, on April 7, 1919, "Liz" was the last surviving child of Edward John Jenkins and Earline Schmetzer Jenkins' 8 children or stepchildren. She was married for 57 years to Joseph Rutledge Young, a prominent Charleston attorney, who predeceased her in 1997.

She leaves 3 children- Joseph Rutledge Young, Jr., Courtney Young Fisher, and Nancy Young McEniry-5 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

Her list of accomplishments is long and varied, but some of the highlights are Lifetime Trustee of the Historic Charleston Foundation which honored her with the Frances Edmunds award in 1998, Past President and Advisor Emeritus of the Preservation Society of Charleston which honored her with the Susan Pringle Frost award in 1995, Past President of the College of Charleston Alumni Association where she received the Founders Medal in 1987, Past President of The Junior League of Charleston which awarded her the Dee Holmes Norton Sustainer award for outstanding and unselfish service to the community, former Board member of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, the United Way and the Clean City Commission. In 1996 the Girl Scouts of Charleston awarded her it's Women of Distinction Award and the Citadel Board of Visitors awarded her an Honorary Doctorate of Letters in 2001.

Governor Beasley awarded her a Certificate of Appreciation for Dedicated Service in preserving South Carolina' history in 1997, and that same year the LaSociete' Francais awarded her their coveted Humnanitate Award.

A longtime friend and supporter of the City of Charleston, she was one of the first Registered Tour Guides in the city (1952) was hired by Mayor Gaillard to teach a 10 week course on Charleston History and write the first "official" Advice to Guides Notes, was on the Board of the Friends of the Courthouse which was instrumental in keeping the Judicial Center in its historic Broad Street location, and was featured in several ETV videos about Charleston, including Dear Charleston, Secrets of a Southern City and Sophisticated Ladies. In 2003, she was awarded the first Elizabeth Jenkins Young Annual Charleston Tour Association Award, an annual award started by the Charleston Tour Association to honor those who promote Charleston's rich history and culture.

She was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority while at the College of Charleston, a member of St. Michael's Church, the National Society of Colonial Dames of South Carolina, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm on Friday at 70 Tradd Street. The funeral services will be at St. Michael's Church at 10 am on Saturday, February 25, 2012. Burial following the service at Magnolia Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Michael's Church, Historic Charleston Foundation or the Preservation Society of Charleston.