Sarah Melissa Smith Young, the daughter of George Pillie Smith and Julia Evelyn Grimes Smith, was born September 8, 1917, in the small Covington County community of Hacoda, Alabama. She and her late husband, A. Mixon Young, have two children, George Howard Young and Myra Rebecca Young Edgar.
Sarah’s working career spans more than half a century. Until 1954, in addition to her role as wife and mother, she also was the bookkeeper for her husband’s business. In 1960, she became a businesswoman when she opened Young’s Florist, an establishment that is now operated by her daughter Rebecca. In 1968, 1969, and 1970, Sarah-or “Granny Young” as she is affectionately known today was employed with Okaloosa-Walton Junior College. In 1972, she opened her China and Art Studio, which also is still in operation.
By this time her expertise in the field of porcelain artistry, or china painting, had earned her an international reputation. Amy Lakides, an internationally known Australian painter, said it best in 1966: “She [Sarah] is china painting herself around the world.” Indeed, she has been invited to study with, as well as to instruct, numerous world-renown artists. She has been an instructor at every International China Painting Convention, and in 1967, she was chosen over many major artists to present the hand-painted china awarded at the Banquet of International Painters in Miami, Florida.
In 1968 the mayor of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, presented Sarah the highest award in the Professional Division of the Miracle Strip Ceramic Show. Later she was nominated to paint the State Seal plate from Alabama, a piece which now hangs in a museum in Dallas, Texas. At the New Orleans Convention of International China Painters, she was selected chairwoman of the Decorations of Grand Ballroom in Fairmont Hotel. At this convention she also received a certificate for outstanding work in flower arranging.
Her honors have been far reaching. She has been invited to demonstrate and teach in many states, including Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Colorado, Nevada, and in Washington, D.C. Her work and articles have been published in International China Painting Teacher’s Organization News magazine as well as in China Decorator magazine. In 1969 she was recognized as a leading citizen in Southern states with the “Personality of the South” award. She was appointed as an “Arkansas Traveler” by order of Governor Rockefeller. She has membership in the following and has served as an officer in most: International China Painting Teachers Organization, Southeastern Regional Chairman; Southeastern Regional China Painting Group, Regional Chairman; Alabama Porcelain Art Club, State President; Alabama Teachers Organization, President; and Gulf States China and Palette Club.
She not only is affiliated with these clubs, but she was also a major force in founding four large organizations, as well as organizing several smaller clubs in Alabama and in other states. The largest organization is the International China Painting Teachers Organization, whose members now number in the thousands across the United States and foreign countries. This organization sponsors art conferences and shows for an international community of artists. She also founded the Gulf States China and Palette Club with over one hundred members in a three-state area. The Alabama Porcelain Art Club, which she also founded, is dedicated to promoting porcelain artistry. Another group, the Alabama Teachers’ Organization, is dedicated to teaching and furthering the study of porcelain as well as other art forms. Through the years, she has been active in her support of the arts at Lurleen B. Wallace State Junior College, helping among other ways by donating her art to the Lurleen B. Wallace Foundation. Funds generated from the sale of these items provide scholarships for area students.
In addition to being on display at several local locations, including the Opp Chamber of Commerce and Mizell Memorial Hospital, Sarah’s porcelain art is on permanent display in the Museum of Archives and History in Montgomery, honoring her as a First Citizen of Alabama. In 1991 she had the further honor of aiding in designing and painting a porcelain artwork featuring the capitol building of Florida in Tallahassee.
Her talent and her fine quality, unique style have made a lasting contribution to the arts not only in Opp, Alabama, but also around the world. Fortunately, Opp’s beloved “Granny Young” continues to share her talent and her love of the arts, influencing another generation of artists. Sarah Melissa Young died June 4, 2013; she is buried at Peaceful Acres. She was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002.
