Ruth Naoma Young

Ruth Naoma Steuart Young, 86, of Conway, died March 6, 2012 from complications of pneumonia. She was born in Hereford, Texas, on January 5, 1926, to Davis M. and Amanda Grace (Griffin) Steuart and was an identical twin. Upon moving to Arkansas at the age of 9, Ruth lived with family in the Lone Pine Community, north of Clarksville. She and her twin sister, Ruby, attended the College of the Ozarks in Clarksville, graduating in 1948 with a B.S. in Biology. After a brief stint of teaching in secondary schools, she received a M.S. in Zoology from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and pursued post graduate studies at Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Martin and Clairence Steuart and older sister, Irene White. She is survived by her twin sister Ruby Reynolds of Fort Smith; son, Douglas Stuart Young (Jackie) of Clarksville; daughters, Susan Young-Thigpen (Dennis) and Sarah Ruth Engeler-Young (Bobby) both of Conway; and five grandchildren, Laura Jane and Georgia Grace Young, Kristopher Ryan and Nicholas James Soderquist, and Zelda Mars Engeler-Young. Mrs. Young was a member of the Women's Emergency Committee to open Little Rock Schools at the time of the integration crisis. A lifelong supporter of instrumental music and the arts in Central Arkansas, she was a sponsor and officer of the Chamber Music Society of Little Rock for many years. She was also a faithful member of Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock for over 35 years. She enjoyed gardening, grounds maintenance, carpentry, violin, oil and watercolor painting, people-watching, elevating the pun to an art form, and general mischief. She will be remembered by those who knew her for her generosity and her sweet, joyful spirit. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m., Thursday, March 8, 2012, at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home, in Conway. Mrs. Young's funeral service will be at 10 p.m., Friday, March 9, 2012, in the Chapel of Roller-McNutt Funeral Home, with The Rev. Teri Daily officiating. There will be a committal service at 2 p.m., Friday, March 9, 2012, at Lone Pine Cemetery, north of Clarksville. Arrangements are under the direction of Roller-McNutt Funeral Home-Conway 327-7727. Online guestbook www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.