Mary Caroline Payne Young

Mary Caroline Payne Young, 64, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, passed away on May 4, 2026. She was born on November 26, 1961, to William C. Payne and Laura Payne. Arriving three and a half months premature, Caroline was a fighter from the very beginning.

Caroline was a devoted wife, sister, aunt, stepmother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose life was marked by deep faith, quiet generosity, and a heartfelt love for others. She had a gracious way of making people feel welcomed, valued, and remembered. Her radiant smile, thoughtful spirit, and delight in giving brought joy to family, friends, and all who knew her.

Above all, Caroline cherished her husband, Rick Young, with whom she shared twenty-six years of marriage. Their life together was rooted in faith, love, companionship, and service to others. Caroline held Rick and his family especially close to her heart, embracing them with warmth, loyalty, and genuine affection. She also treasured her many friendships and found great happiness in caring for those she loved.

Caroline had a special gift for nurturing life in all its forms. She loved plants, flowers, horses, dogs, and especially people. An avid gardener, she earned her Master Gardeners Certification from OSU Tech. She approached gardening much like she approached life itself—with patience, attentiveness, and joy.

Her love for animals was one of the many expressions of her gentle and generous heart. Over the years, Caroline and Rick raised and loved ten dogs, each of them a cherished part of their home and family. She created a home filled with warmth, kindness, and compassion, not only for people, but for the animals she adored.

Caroline’s faith in God guided her life and shaped her service to others. She delivered Mobile Meals to homebound neighbors and tutored schoolchildren through the Whiz Kids program at her church. She also generously supported numerous charitable and cultural organizations, including Special Care Inc. of Oklahoma City, Hearts for Hearing, Oklahoma City Ballet, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, The Salvation Army of Central Oklahoma Area Command, Casady School, and the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. If you saw Anonymous in the top tier of donors for one of these organizations, that was likely Caroline.

Caroline will be remembered for her selflessness, her thoughtful acts of kindness, and the love she so freely shared with her husband, family, friends, and beloved dogs. Her life was a blessing, and she will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her husband, Rick Young; her stepdaughters, Gina Dare and husband David, and Lori Dunn and husband Gordon, along with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; her brother, Bill Payne, and his wife Wendy; her niece, Katie Kenny, and her husband, M.J.; her nephew, Whit Payne; her cousin, Clarke Howard and wife Rosemarie, and their children and grandchildren; and her stepmother, Joan Payne.

A service celebrating Caroline’s life will be held on Monday, May 18, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 2717 W. Hefner Road, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.