From Lillye Younger, The History of Decatur County Past and Present (Southhaven, MS: Carter Printing Company, 1978).
Special thanks to Constance Collett for permission to make these web pages.

In Memory of Lillye Washburn Younger 1912-1998.

About the Author

Lillye Eugene Younger was born in Trenton, Tennessee, the daughter of Jena C. and Lillye Dodson Washburn.

At an early age Mrs. Younger displayed a keen interest in writing and public speaking and this is a hobby that has been evident throughout her life. She has spent many hours pounding away at her typewriter and is much in demand as a speaker for social events, club meetings, etc. The blonde, vivacious personality has a genuine interest in people and this is evident in her publication "People of Action", which deals with the people she has known and interviewed through the years. She is perhaps best known for her historical features and as Decatur County Historian presents a radio program each day on local history. Mrs. Younger's detailed research and unique presentation makes the listeners feel they have visited with her subjects and the geographical points she lifts up.

Playing a prominent part in her life has always been her work with young people. She is currently serving as Sunday School teacher for the teenage and pre-teen group, a position she has held for several years. She was a troop leader for many years with the Girl Scouts, taking her troop to California on an extended tour that included lunch at Paramount Restaurant with Jerry Lewis.

Mrs. Younger is an active member of the First Methodist Church where she has taught Sunday School for 35 years, served on the Administrative Board, served as Lay Delegate to Annual Conference and served as District Officer for the United Methodist Women.

In this book on Decatur County history, Mrs. Younger presents a mental picture of personalities and life in our community from its beginning as an early settlement. Because of her many hours of research her vivid imagination and her ability to present the written word in such an interesting form, I know of no one better qualified to write this book.

Mrs. Madison Scott