Naomi R. DeYoung

Naomi Ruth Stewart DeYoung, 93, of West Chester, Ohio, peacefully went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on January 31, 2025. She was surrounded by her loving family.

 Born on October 21, 1931, in Owen County, Kentucky, Naomi moved to Cincinnati, Ohio at age 18. Over the next several years, she held jobs at the Omni Netherland Hotel, Crosley Corporation and Procter and Gamble.

 Naomi is best known for her deep faith, kindness, and steadfast love for her family.

 In 1956, she met Robert DeYoung when they shared a ride to a church event. They were married two years later and remained devoted partners for more than 66 years. They enjoyed traveling together, seeing all 50 states and 18 foreign countries. At the age of 12, Naomi became the church pianist, a ministry that she continued to enjoy for several decades, while Robert played the organ.

 She considered her greatest accomplishment to be raising her three children in the Christian faith: Marilyn Baumann, Linda Stoughton, and Mark DeYoung. In addition to being a loving mother, she was an excellent seamstress and an outstanding cook. She often prepared home- cooked meals for large gatherings of family and friends. Missionaries and evangelists who visited the church also enjoyed Naomi’s cooking and hospitality of the DeYoung family.

 In 1960, Naomi and Robert became members of West Chester Nazarene Church. Until her final days, she faithfully served the church community with love and compassion, embodying Christ’s grace in her words and actions. Naomi held many volunteer positions including Children’s Sunday school teacher, vacation Bible school worker, church secretary, church board member, and, most notably, as secretary of the church board for eighteen years. In 1992, she received the Church of the Nazarene’s highest lay honor, the Distinguished Service Award, for her many decades of sacrificial service.

 Naomi is survived by her husband, Robert, daughter Marilyn Baumann (Sam), daughter Linda Stoughton (Greg) and son Mark DeYoung (Crystal). She was a proud grandmother to Todd Baumann, Sandi Schumacher (Kyle); Kyle Stoughton (Kim), Ryan Stoughton; Emily DeYoung, Clark DeYoung (Faith), and Grant DeYoung. She also had four great-grandchildren: Loucee Schumacher, Emsley Schumacher, Iona DeYoung, and Isabella DeYoung.

 She was preceded in death by her father, William Floyd Stewart, her mother, Achie Baldwin Stewart, and her nine siblings Elizabeth Osborne, Paul Stewart, Glendola Leslie, Eual Stewart, Edith Lewis, James Stewart, Gayle Stewart, Howard Stewart, and Charles Stewart.

Her celebration of life will be held at West Chester Nazarene Church, 7951 Tylersville Road, West Chester, Ohio, on February 6, 2025, with visitation at 10 a.m. and the service at 11 a.m.

 In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to West Chester Nazarene Church.