Carolyn Jo Young

Carolyn Leake Young February 4, 1951 - December 26, 2025 After a lengthy illness, Carolyn has been received into her Savior's healing arms. She was born in Navasota, Texas to Bob & Jo Leake and loved to tell stories of her childhood with her parents and grandparents, especially about her grandpa insisting on having dessert first so there was always room for it. Thanksgiving '25 followed that tradition ensuring she had room for pumpkin pie with extra whipped cream. The family moved to the Huntsville area eventually where her dad worked for Gulf States & her mom had a beautician shop. Carolyn enjoyed hanging out at Josey Boy Scout Lodge with her dad since he was a Scout Master. She also spent a lot of time at the Josey ball field playing softball & was a formidable catcher according to stories. Carolyn graduated from New Waverly High School & soon after married. They moved to Huntsville where they had two daughters. She worked as a dispatcher for Huntsville Police Department among a few other jobs. Her parents eventually "retired" and opened Jo's Donuts & Bob's Locksmith just off the square in Huntsville. Carolyn was known for her amazing cookies and cakes & made some crazy big wedding cakes. She often bribed the girls school bus driver with a cookie or pastry and a cold bottle of Coke to drop them off at the donut shop instead of home. Carolyn later moved to the Oyster Creek area where she worked for Brazoria Co Sheriff's Dept and Oyster Creek Marshal's Dept as a dispatcher. Eventually she relocated to the Chandler/Tyler area with her mom. Her love for law enforcement continued to grow. While working for area Sheriff Depts as a dispatcher, she completed the Law Enforcement Academy & became a fulltime Deputy. After several years, she became the Chief of Security at Emerald Bay Country Club, among other positions there. She fell in love & genuinely cared for the residents, which led to her house and pet sitting for these friends. She loved spending time with the animals! She later relocated back to the Grangerland & New Waverly areas where she worked for Texas Depart of Corrections until her illness struck in February '25. She eventually retired at the end of April. She was also a member of the Caney Creek Cowboy Church in Conroe. She was a wonderful and beautiful woman, mother, G-Maw, sister and friend. When she put her mind to doing something, she did it! She loved everyone with all of her heart which is evidenced by her lifelong friendship with her best friend/sister Vicki Hairgrove since they were 6 years old. And her sister-in-law/sister Deborah Marshall from their childhood as well. Survivors include her daughters Michelle Duncan of Montgomery, Texas; Melinda Little of Conroe, Texas; grandson Justin Duncan of League City, Texas; best friend/sister Vicki Hairgrove & husband Charlie of Splendora, Texas; sister-in-law/sister Deborah Marshall of New Waverly, Texas. As well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends all over Texas and beyond. Carolyn was preceded in death by her mother Jo Leake, father Robert "Bob" Leake Sr., brother Robert "Buddy" Leake Jr., and grandmother Beaulah Dent. Visitation will be at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Huntsville on Monday. January 5, 2026 at 1pm & the service will follow at 2pm. Burial will be at approximately 3:15 at Brooke Cemetery where she'll be laid to rest next to her mom, dad & brother. Pastor Mark Grimes from Caney Creek Cowboy Church will be officiating. If you'd like to speak or share a memory during the service, please feel free. Pallbearers will be Justin Duncan, Eric Mendoza, Eli Mendoza, Charlie Hairgrove, Cody Goodwin & Louie Burnett. Following the graveside service the family will be having an early dinner in Carolyn's honor at Los Pericos in Huntsville. If you'd like to join us in celebrating her, please let us know headcount so we can reserve enough seats. Los Pericos was one of her favorite places to eat (except IHOP) so we felt it would be the perfect place.