Young Nam Chang, 93, of Newport News, Virginia, passed away peacefully on September 11, 2026. Born on May 15, 1933, in South Korea, she lived a long and beautiful life defined by faith, family, and an unshakable love for those around her.
In 1989, Young Nam and her beloved husband, Hoo Deck Chang, immigrated to the United States, embracing a new country with courage and hope. In 2001, they proudly became naturalized citizens, pledging their allegiance to the nation they had come to call home. Young Nam was preceded in death by her beloved husband Hoo Deck Chang.
She spent many years working in hospitality at General Smalls Inn in Fort Eustis before retiring as a beloved pastry chef at the former George Washington Hotel in Williamsburg, Virginia.
Young Nam was a devout Christian and a long-standing, faithful member of Peninsula Korean Baptist Church in Newport News, where she volunteered generously and found deep community. She had a joyful spirit — she loved to travel the world with her husband and friends, savored good food and stayed active with her YMCA senior group, and Young Nam rarely missed a chance to sing and dance. Above all, she was a devoted wife, a loving mother, and a grandmother whose warmth touched every generation of her family.
She is survived by her children: Jung Soon Vaughn, Seong Beok Chang and his wife Eun Hui Chang, Seong Chan Chang and his wife Jeong Hae Shin, and Young-Soon Jang and her husband Heung-Yong Kim.
Her grandchildren: Christine Carver and husband Brian, Il Seok Jung and wife Yoon-Mi Han, Caroline Vaughn, Han Kyu Chang and wife Jin Young Park, Hanyoung Chang, Eddie Chang, Kevin Chang, and Victoria Chang.
Her great-grandchildren: Aiden Crum, Robin Crum, Ava Neighbors, Theodore Sung Chang, Dorothy Ha Chang, and Alexander Jin Chang.
Young Nam’s legacy of love, faith, and joy will live on in the hearts of her family and all who were blessed to know her.
A funeral service celebrating Young Nam’s life will be held on Tuesday, September 22nd, with viewing from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM at Peninsula Funeral Home in Newport News. A funeral service will start at 12;00 PM with burial to follow. She will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Hoo Deck, at Garden of Eden Cemetery at Peninsula Korean Baptist Church in Newport News.
Flowers in honor of Young Nam may be sent to Peninsula Funeral Home.