Mary Lenola Vassar

Mary Lenola (Gray) Vassar, fulfilled her worldly duties as a wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend at her home surrounded by her family on Sunday, July 17, 2016. Given the name Lenola by her father she was born on a chilly January day to Robert L. and Rosa Hale Gray at their large two story Red Brick Farm Home located on many acres of beautiful rolling farm land that was stocked with all the farm animals a child could want in Edwina, Tennessee. Lenola, a chubby little blue eyed girl was greeted by one brother and four sisters. Lenola's sisters, Nannie, Arlene and Ailene Gray referred to her as "the Baby" or "their baby" and would sit waiting anxiously for their turn to hold and feed their baby. Lenola attended Edwina School and graduated from Cocke County High School. After graduation, Lenola traveled to Washington, DC to work with the Western Union and there, she met Reed J. Vassar a soldier in the United States Army. Reed and Lenola were the proud parents of 7 children, Sally Gwendolyn, Reed J. Vassar, Jr., Patricia Ann, Marguerite S., Michael Carl, Betsy Jane and Richard (Rick) Vassar. Lenola was a homemaker and provided the love and morals necessary to help raise her children to love God first, family and respect for all that is good. Lenola was an active member of the First Christian Church since a young woman with her husband and children. Lenola was preceded in death by her husband, Reed J. Vassar, Sr., daughter, Sally Gwendolyn and grandsons, Eric Wayne McCoig and Brian Mark Rolen; brothers, Otto and Bobby Gray; sisters, Nelle Burnett, Jean Whitlock, Margaret Wilds, Pat James, Arlene Hightower and Allene Gray. She is survived by her children, R.J. (Brenda) Vassar, Newport, Patricia (Harold) Wright, Pigeon Forge, Marguerite Vassar, Knoxville, Mike (Vicky) Vassar, Newport, Betsy J Huff, Jefferson City, and Richard (Cindy) Vassar, Newport; sister, Nannie Tennessee Hale, Newport; sisters-in-law, Annalone Gray and Gertude Sears, Lake Placid, New York; eleven grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, other family and friends. The family will receive friends from 12:00 noon until 1:00 pm Tuesday, July 19, 2016 with funeral services at 1:00 pm.in Manes Funeral Home Chapel, with Brother Martin Stump officiating. Burial will be immediately following the service in Union Cemetery. The family request donations be made to First Christian Church, 382 E. Broadway Street, Newport, TN Family and friends may sign the guest register on line at: www.manesfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Manes Funeral Home.

Mary Lenola Vassar

January 20, 1922 - July 17, 2016