Essie Mae Young, 93, of Palatka, peacefully entered the sunset of life on Saturday, January 4, 2014 at Haven Hospice Roberts' Care Center following an extended illness. The daughter of Will & Wilma Vaughns, she was a native of Surrency, GA., born on Wednesday, September 21, 1921. She was educated in the Appling County, GA., public school system. She was united in holy matrimony to Reverend Noah Young and they honored their marital vows for over 65 years (preceding her in eternal rest on July 23, 2003). Over the years, she was a devoted member of St. Johns Baptist Church, Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church, and Third Mt. Tabor Missionary Baptist Church. She was a loving and caring servant-leader to her family, friends, and community and her passionate smile always resonated a healing spirit. She was a surrogate parent for many of her nieces and nephews and was truly a "First Lady" who was a spiritual blessing to everyone. In addition to her parents and husband, Essie was preceded in eternal rest by brothers, Charlie, Clifford, Jimmie Lee, and Sing Vaughns; sisters, Hattie Howard, Mattie Hall, Ida B. McMorris, and Queeneva Roberts. Those who cherish the precious memories: devoted sister, Deaconess Minnie Lee McCall, Palatka; nieces, Wilma Wesley, Palatka, Marie (Eugene) Heath, Jacksonville, Missionary Darletha (Elder Jimmie L. Sr.) Lewis, Hastings, Sweetie Mae Brown, Brunswick, GA; Cordelia Foster, Baxley, GA; nephews, Leroy Young, Jesup, GA, Perry Young, Jr., & William McMorris, Baxley, GA; and a host of great-nieces, great-nephews, and friends. Visitation of family and friends will be 5-8 p.m. Friday, January 10, at "Flagg's Chapel of Serenity." Homegoing Celebration will be 11 a.m. Saturday, January 11 at Mt. Tabor First Baptist Church, 4909 St. Johns Avenue, Palatka, Rev. Karl N. Flagg, Pastor, presiding. Rev. LeRoy Kaymore, pastor of Third Mt. Tabor and Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church, is the Eulogist. Interment will follow in Armstrong Cemetery.