From Staff Reports

Bobbie Young – who spent two stints as a reporter and editor with the Citizen Tribune – died Monday. She was 76.

A graduate of Morristown High School in 1965, Young graduated with honors from Walters State Community College in 1973. A talented writer, she joined the Tribune and worked as a reporter/editor before her career took her to the Post Courier in Charleston, South Carolina for 19 years.

She returned to Morristown to care for her ailing mother and resumed her work at the Tribune.

She served as a feature writer and covered Hamblen County government and the Board of Education until her retirement.

“Bobbie was a talented writer and reporter whose work is a large part of the legacy of the Citizen Tribune,” said R. Michael Fishman, Tribune editor/publisher. “She played an important role in our newsroom in the early years and even more so upon her return. She was well-read, well-traveled and especially intelligent. Being a reporter and writer is what she was meant to do. We send out our condolences to her family and friends on their loss.”

David Purkey – whose time as Hamblen County Mayor overlapped with Young’s second stint at the Tribune said she will be missed.

“Bobbie was the Tribune reporter during a large tenure of my service as County Mayor. She was a fierce voice in journalism, always asking good questions, fair but consistently presenting the facts without hesitation,” Purkey said. “We also shared many laughs as we both navigated the many behind the scenes antics that arise out of politics.

“I’ll miss her smile and probing demeanor. Rest in peace, my friend.”

Dale Lynch was superintendent of Hamblen County Schools and worked closely with Young as she covered the school system.

“Bobbie was the type of reporter that you could trust,” he said, “trust that she would do her job of writing the complete story. Bobbie became more than a reporter to us in the school system, she became a special friend and journalist.”

Current Hamblen County Mayor Bill Brittain also worked with Young and praised her professionalism.

“Bobbie was a true professional,” he said. “She covered county government when I served as County Trustee. She researched the facts and wasn’t afraid to ask the tough questions.”

Morristown Mayor Gary Chesney first came to know Young when he worked at Cherokee Guidance Center- now Cherokee Health. As the facility began to introduce drug and alcohol prevention programs, Young covered the effort.

“Bobbie Young was very committed to the value of her craft,” Chesney said. “I remember her being very thorough in the news gathering and personal interviewing process. The public always benefits from reporters like Bobbie.

Young, the daughter of Noah and Dovie Green Young, supported many charities – especially those pertaining to animals. She loved her four cats- Noel, Beau, Sophie, Ricky and dog Annie.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, June 24th, from 12 until 1 p.m. at Westside Chapel Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow with Rev. Tim Jones officiating. Interment will follow at Jarnagin Cemetery.