Betty Ann Banks Young (Nana), age 95, of the Burnsville Community, passed peacefully into her Heavenly Home while surrounded by her loving family on Friday, October 17th, 2025. Betty was the daughter of the late William Kerl and Julia Allen Banks. She is also preceded in death by her brothers: Ben Lee Banks and William Andrew Banks, along with his wife, Virginia.
Betty was a self-educated woman, only attending school through the fourth grade due to illness. She taught herself by reading the dictionary and doing crossword puzzles. She even taught herself to play the piano by ear.
Betty married Earl on February 1st, 1953, and started their life together. They loved to travel, exploring the U.S. in their motorhome up until 2020, taking their kids on many adventures.
Betty cared deeply about her family, supporting her children and grandchildren in anything they had going on. She loved to scrapbook and document her family life, even recording the history of her grandchildren’s first five years of life. Her favorite times were family meals and being with loved ones.
Betty was a member of the Mountain Air Ladies Golf Association for many years. After her health declined, the Ladies formed and sponsored a tournament in her honor, named the BAY Cup. She was a devoted and lifelong member of Higgins Methodist Church, which was very important to her. She loved her Lord and her church family. She was a charter member of both Chapter CG and Chapter DA of the PEO Sisterhood, and faithfully supported this philanthropic educational organization.
Nana was a “true southern lady”, always put together (red lipstick), and known for her delicious pecan pies and cornbread. Betty will be deeply missed by family, friends, and all who knew her.
Left to cherish her memory are her loving husband of 74 years, Earl Young; daughter, Julena McQueen (Jim); son, Sam Young (Kim); grandsons: Jared McQueen and Joshua Young (Julia); great-grandson, George; and sisters-in-law: Janet Banks and Helen King. Many nieces, nephews and special friends also survive.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 24th at 3 p.m. at Higgins Methodist Church in Burnsville. Pastor Burt will officiate. The family will receive friends from 1 until 3 p.m. prior the services at the church.
The family would like to extend special thanks to Nana’s caregivers who are considered part of the family: Lisa Bennett, Angie Cole, and Julia, as well as Compassionate Care WNC. In lieu of flowers, Nana requested that you consider a donation to Higgins Methodist Church at P.O. Box 85, Burnsville, NC 28714.
To send online condolences, please visit our website at www.yanceyfuneralservice.com.
