Susan "Lynn" Cummins

A beautiful star now at rest in Heaven, Susan Lynn Cummins was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on February 19, 2025 after a life well-lived and as a woman well-loved by those who had the good fortune to encounter her. She was a strong believer in the truth of Christ and the love and grace He offers us all.

Lynn was a lifelong member of Fairview Trinity Church in North Knoxville. She remained a vibrant leader of the church (originally known as Forestdale EUB and then Fairview UMC) in varying capacities through the years. Despite having to rely on her cane, she was among the first to arrive each week for church worship or events, and she always took the time to introduce herself to a visitor and say, “I’m so glad you’re here!”

Taking on many church responsibilities was just part of her nature, but her time spent as a leader of the Fairview Youth Group in the 60s and 70s was the one she was most proud of. She was loved and respected by all those under her care.

A Fulton High School grad in 1961, Lynn took her smarts and creative talents to excel at multiple careers and industries. She was a studio photographer for Olan Mills and Sears; she loved her time at Millers Department Store working in the book department, where she developed a passion for the written word. Lynn was a true bibliophile and a long-time patron of the public library, especially the North Knox branch which she visited often.

She followed in her father’s footsteps at the Tennessee Mill and Mine Supply Company for many years, before ending her work career in the Advertising Department at the Knoxville News Sentinel as an important part of that team. She had many friends throughout the company who appreciated Lynn for her hard work, commitment to excellence, and her compassionate nature. Everyone knew her as a strong, independent woman with a quick wit, who stood up for herself and for others, always doing her best for her customers and her co-workers.

She loved her family dearly! She loved visiting her brothers and sisters and their families, and she almost always brought pictures and memories to share. They treasured those pictures and treasured Lynn even more. She loved our Williams family reunions in Townsend - to be able to see cousins, to watch children grow up, to compare notes and reminisce over the good old days, to share a recipe passed down through the years, to laugh over funny stories and events from growing up.

Things she will be long-remembered for are her kind heart, her amazing memory, her spiced tea and goody bags at Christmas, birthday cards to all the kids (with that special surprise inside), her enjoyment of nature, her delicious sour-cream coconut cake, and always taking time to introduce and educate her nephews and nieces to her love of history, books, journalism and their Scottish/English heritage. She was incredibly smart and beautiful, funny and compassionate, and loved to converse with anyone she came across.

To sum it all up, Lynn loved and was loved. In the words of her grand-nieces and nephews, “I’ll miss Lala/Aunt Lynn”. So will we all – more than we know – but we rest in the knowledge that we will be together again with Jesus. For her, that joy has already begun!

Lynn was preceded in death by her beloved father and mother, Woodrow “Dode” Cummins and Mary Evelyn Williams Cummins, and her cherished animal children (Lily, KC and Gracie). She was the eldest sister and is survived by her three loving siblings, Charles “Butch” Cummins (Linda), Robert “Bob” Cummins (Cathy), and Sara “Betsi” Vesser (Danny). She leaves behind nieces and nephews who grew up with Lynn as a bonus parent – Andrea, Shay (April), Cindy (Paul Michael), Kevin (Heather), Katie (Nick), Amy (James), Traci (Jeremy), Kenny (Megan), and Nick (Tasha) – and was “Aunt LaLa” or “Aunt Lynn” to: Justin (dec.), Jonathan, Logan G, Megan, Molly, Braden, Kamryn, Alexander, Claire, Easton, Bentley, Braxton, Jocee, Kaesyn, Logan F, Murphy, Noah, Evie, Charlee, Liam, and Isla. She was especially close with her Aunt Beverly with whom Lynn traveled the world on great adventures to explore Vancouver, Alaska, England and Scotland, and many closer spots (her favorites being Townsend and The Shaker Village in KY).

Per Lynn’s wishes, a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, she requested donations in her memory be made to East Tennessee PBS, St. Jude’s, Fairview Trinity Church, or any local animal shelter.