Mary Viola Lakin

Mary Viola Webster Lakin, age 98 of Knoxville, passed away Monday, June 21, 2021, at Holston Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was born October 7, 1922. Mary has lived a long life, and now has claimed her reward promised in the great commandment. "Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God given thee." (Exodus 20:12) She is a Member of Cedar Grove Baptist Church. Mary was a great supporter and encourager of her husband, Rev. Herman Lakin, and accompanied him as he preached in revivals and pastored churches in the Knox, Grainger, and Union Counties. Herman worked on public work during the day and preached in the evenings. Sometimes God would change his mind at the last minute about a sermon he was to preach that night; and if Herman did not have time to study as much as he would like, he would have Mary read scripture to him as they drove to church. She worked side by side with him at the different churches he pastored, raising four children, and also working outside the home at Standard Knitting Mills for several years. Herman always said "she raised the children"; and the experience she received by helping with her own nine brothers and sisters helped her in raising her own children, while giving her husband more time to devote to the church and its members. She knew how to work with young children and adults, as well as those in between and her own children wanted her to be involved in their lives and the things they did. She found her calling by working in Vacation Bible School, Sunday School, and other activities of the churches Herman was called to pastor. The Lord blessed her, and she was able to continue to work in the church for many years after Herman's death. In her later years after Herman had passed on and she was unable to attend church, she would dream about working in Vacation Bible School. She always had a smile on her face as she talked about it. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." Psalms 116:15 Preceded in death by her husband of 58 years: Rev. Herman Alfred Lakin, father, Arthur Ray Webster and mother, Ethel Mae Troutt Webster of Mascot, Tennessee, nine brothers and sisters and their spouses, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Estel Lakin and Sallie Tabler Lakin of Corryton, Tennessee, brothers-in-law, Clarence Lakin, Raymond Simmons and Alfred James, sisters-in-law, Claudene (Polly) Lakin and Betty Davis Lakin. Survived by children: Glen Lakin, spouse Carol, Carolyn Rogers, spouse Don, Barbara Wolfenbarger, spouse Wayne, and Kathy Lakin. 7 grandchildren: Melissa Neibert, Bryan Lakin, spouse: 1st Jennifer, 2nd Joy, Ramona Burle, spouse Dan, Jamie Brown, spouse Christopher, Jason Rogers, spouse Joanna, Lindsay Haggard, spouse Brandon, and Joel Wolfenbarger, spouse Cierra. 9 great-grandchildren: Amber Neibert, spouse Chris Collins, Christian Dobbins, Jordan Brown, Emilee Brown, fiancé' Caleb Walker, Madelyn (Maddie) Burle, Harrison Wolfenbarger, Hayden Wolfenbarger, Holden Wolfenbarger, and Benjamin Rogers. 2 great-great-grandchildren: Camden Collins and Kelsie Collins. Sisters-in-1aw: Wanda "Susie" James, Imogene "Jean" Simmons, and Elizabeth "Betty" Lakin. Special friends: Devon & Jasmine, and a host of other relatives and friends Family will receive friends from 12:00 – 2:00 pm Saturday, June 26, 2021 at Cedar Grove Baptist Church, with funeral service to follow at 2:00 pm, Rev. Bill Smith, Rev. Terry Walker, and Chris Brown officiating. Family and friends will gather at Cedar Grove Cemetery immediately following the funeral service for interment. Honorary pallbearers: Grandsons, Great-Grandsons and Great-Great-Grandsons. Online condolences may be left at www.mynattfh.com.