Laura Lee Youngerman, lovingly known as “Lee,” passed away Wednesday evening, December 17, 2025, at her home, surrounded by the love of her family.
Lee was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on September 6, 1950, the second of four children born to the late Harvey and Polly Doyle Jones. From an early age, she developed a strong work ethic, a deep faith, and a lifelong love of horses that would shape much of her life.
Lee was married to the love of her life, Marvin L. Youngerman, for fifty-four years. Together they built a life centered on family, faith, and the land they cherished. She was a devoted mother to two sons, Casey Youngerman and his wife Sara, and Alex Youngerman and his wife Molly, and a daughter, Dana Lee Youngerman.. Lee was a proud and loving grandmother to Will and Erik Youngerman, and Hayes and Tate Youngerman, who affectionately called her “Nene.”
In her professional life, Lee began her career teaching fifth grade math at Caywood Elementary School. She later returned to the family farm, working alongside her husband while raising their two boys and daughter. After Casey, Dana, and Alex were in school, Lee began a long and fulfilling career with Henderson County Farm Bureau, serving as a Customer Service Representative, retiring in 2016 after twenty-five years of dedicated service.
Faith played a central role in Lee’s life. She was a faithful member of New Hope Methodist Church in the Shady Hill community, where she served for many years as choir director. Her love for music and worship touched many lives and reflected her deep commitment to her church and community.
Horses were one of Lee’s greatest passions. Whether riding for pleasure, teaching countless others to ride, or barrel racing, she found joy in every aspect of horsemanship. While attending the University of Tennessee at Martin, Lee became one of the first founding female members of the rodeo team. It was there that she met her future husband, Marvin, and was honored as the second Rodeo Queen. Her family fondly noted that Lee was an excellent judge of both “horse flesh and human character.”
After college, Lee competed on barrels professionally and was deeply involved in the Tennessee Junior Rodeo Association and the Tennessee High School Rodeo Association, serving in various capacities including officer roles and official timekeeper. She was also talented in buying, selling, breeding, and training horses, and several of her horses continue to compete successfully in many states today.
Another favorite pastime of Lee’s was traveling with her husband, Marvin. Their adventures were most often road trips, reflecting Lee’s preference to keep her feet on the ground and her heart in the West. Among her favorite destinations were Wyoming, Colorado, an Alaskan cruise, and Lake Tahoe.
Lee will be remembered for her strong faith, generous spirit, unwavering love for her family, and her lifelong dedication to horses and community. Her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched and the values she passed down to her family.
Lee was preceded in death by her daughter Dana Lee Youngerman, her mother Polly Doyle Jones, and father Harvey Lee Jones.
Visitation with the Youngerman family will be held Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Pafford Funeral Home, and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at New Hope Church in the Shady Hill Community outside of Lexington. The funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m. at the church, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to be sent to a charity of choice.
