A daughter of the late William R. Cook and Victoria Yerton Cook, she was born in Pauls Valley, OK, on June 22, 1913. Mary’s father was from the Mallard Creek community of Mecklenburg County, and her mother was from the Back Creek Community of Mecklenburg County. Coming from two strong Presbyterian families, this couple made their way to Oklahoma before it was a state to homestead. This is where Mary and her brother Lloyd were born. The family returned to North Carolina when Mary was quite young and settled in the Newell Community of Mecklenburg. She attended Newell High School where she played basketball and acted in several stage productions alongside notable big band leader Johnny Long, a Newell classmate. While on a trip to Scotland, she was one of six visitors who were admitted to a Sunday worship service in Crathie Church near Balmoral Castle attended by the Royal Family, and Mary sat beside Princess Diana during the service.
Mary was employed by F.H. Ross Chemical Company (now Ashland Chemical) most of her working years. She was earlier employed by Efirds Department Store, and after her retirement from Ashland, she worked part time for the Orthopedic Hospital of Charlotte. Mary’s hobbies included a great love for flowers and watching her sons at their various athletic events. One of her prized family possessions is a football given to her family by George Ratterman, noted quarterback for Notre Dame University, the Clevand Browns, and the Buffalo Bills. Mary will be remembered for her kind deeds. She and her mother cared for her Aunt Ola who was stricken with Polio as a child. Mary’s kitchen contained a “community oven” as she baked and cooked for those persons who had suffered a loss or had a need. She, at her own expense, provided educational and scouting supplies to students whom she knew could not afford them. She was a caring person who shared her life. She had an Honorary Life Membership in the Women of the Church of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. Seven years after the death of her first husband, Lawrence, Mary married Harvey Lamer from Kansas. They were married sixteen peaceful years.
A funeral to celebrate her life will be held at 2:00PM, Thursday, October 25th at Newell Presbyterian Church with Rev. Brad Busiek officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the funeral.
Mrs. Lamer is survived by a son, Reverend Fred Griffie, of Charlotte; two grandchildren, Stephen Griffie and wife Myra, of Charlotte, David Griffie and wife Brooke, of Fayetteville, NC; a great grandson, Owen Griffie, of Fayetteville, NC, and a daughter in law, Peggy Griffie, of Charlotte.
Mrs. Lamer was preceded in death by her loving husband, Lawrence Griffie, a son Larry Griffie, and a brother Lloyd Cook, of Salisbury.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Newell Presbyterian Church, 1500 Rocky River Rd W, Charlotte, NC 28213.
Family and friends are invited to sign the online register book at www.mcewenderitachapel.com
The Derita Chapel of McEwen Funeral Service is serving the family of Mrs. Lamer.
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