Grace Young Caudle

Grace Young Caudle, age 94, a longtime resident of Lenoir, NC, died peacefully on August 25, 2025, in King, NC, at the home of her daughter Carol. Born on May 3, 1931, in Burnsville, NC, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Lula Simmons Young. Grace grew up in Yancey County on a farm on the banks of the South Toe River in a farmhouse built by her father and grandfather, M.F. Young (“Papa Young”).

Grace was a born teacher who taught 6th grade at West Lenoir School in Lenoir, NC, for 30 years, after graduating from Appalachian State Teachers College (now Appalachian State University). Former students would still greet her eagerly around Lenoir when she was in her eighties and nineties, sometimes reminiscing about how much they enjoyed listening to her read aloud to them in class. Her love of teaching was demonstrated even during the last year of her life as she helped homeschool two of her great grandsons. She was a faithful member of the teachers’ sorority, Alpha Delta Kappa, for many years.

Grace began teaching Sunday School as a teenager, and later was co-teacher of the Faithful Workers Sunday School Class at Lower Creek Baptist Church in Lenoir for several decades. She was an active member of Lower Creek for over 50 years, leading the Acteens group when her daughters were teenagers and participating in one of the circle groups and many other activities.

She and her late husband, Arthur, enjoyed getting together with their “gang,” as their children referred to their group of friends, for dinners and other events. The grandchildren remember fondly Friday night dinners at Captain’s Galley and Saturday breakfasts at Bojangles with their grandparents and “the gang.” Grace and Arthur also enjoyed trips to Europe and throughout the United States with various “gang” members.

Grace was an avid walker during her retirement. She enjoyed walking with Arthur, with friends, and later with a walking group and her daughters and granddaughter. She walked all the way through her 93rd year. In addition to her parents, Grace was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur McNairy Caudle, as well as four brothers, Bruce, Clyde, John and David Young, and a sister, Mary Louise Young Kennedy. She is survived by two daughters, Mary Anne Caudle (Sam Love) and Carol Caudle Simmons (Mark), and seven grandchildren: Jake Claffee (Sarah), David Love (Kevin Wells), Jess Claffee (Leah), Dustin Love (Meagan Barnes), Joe Claffee (Jenna), Rachel Claffee (Andrew Cassidy) and Dalton Simmons (Harley). She is also survived by four great grandchildren: Kolby, Lauren, Trysten, and Ethan, and another, Ember, due in September. Max the dog, who made caring for Grace his mission in life during her last year, also mourns her passing.

A celebration of Grace’s life will be held on Friday, August 29, at 11:00 am, at Lower Creek Baptist Church, in Lenoir, with the Reverend Dr. Mark Simmons officiating. The family will receive friends afterwards in the fellowship hall.

Those wishing to make memorials may send them to Lower Creek Baptist Church, 633 Lower Creek Drive NE, Lenoir, NC, 28645 or to Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, 945 Zephyr Rd., Dobson, NC, 27017.

Evans Funeral Service is honored to serve the family of Grace Young Caudle.