Mary Lavina Saylor Sommers Blosser

Mary Lavina Saylor Sommers Blosser, a daughter of our Father in Heaven, has transitioned from this mortal life to Paradise on October 26, 2021. Mary was born May 19, 1938, in Missoula, Montana. She spent her formative years in Washington and Oregon. At the age of 16, Mary found the Lord and was baptized. She committed her life to building a relationship with Him and serving through love and servitude. Two of her fundamental principles were to, “Always leave others feeling better than she found them” and to “Never pass up a teaching opportunity.” She married Gene A. Sommers (1936-1960) and bore two children Gene A. Sommers, Jr (lived one day, 1958) and David Allen Sommers (b. 1960). Mary later married Jack D. Blosser (1932-2015) in 1963. She bore two additional children, Michael J. Blosser (b 1964) and Jacky D. Blosser, Jr (b 1972).

Mary had a passion and love for learning. She was always reading with a pencil and paper nearby to jot down ideas and a daily list of things to do. She graduated from Kirkman Technical High School in 1976. She received her Cosmetology License in 1982 and Certificates in American Sign Language and Computer Programming from Chattanooga State in 1984. Mary believed that everyone deserved to look good and gave more haircuts for free than she had ever collected money. Mary’s professional career spanned from a Personal Trainer, Eileen Feather Figure Salon, and officer with Industrial Incinerator Company, 1960-1980, Business Owner, Dixie Duster (1984-2018), and a Data Entry/Monthly Employee Newsletter publisher with the Chattanooga Times Free Press (1998-2006).

God was, and still is the only person more important than her love of Country, Family and Friends. Mary knew the Lord for 67 years and committed the last 47 years of her life to developing her relationship with Him and serving Him through serving others. She served in various positions within her congregation, including but not limited to, Relief Society, Primary, Young Women, Single adults, and the Choir. Mary also devoted 18 months serving as a Missionary in Tacoma, Washington and 12 years as a volunteer in the Atlanta Temple.

Hixson High School Wrestling was a group that Mary supported for 42 years. With all three of her sons wrestling between the years of 1976-1990, she continued her support, year after year. It was common to find Mary Blosser cheering from the stands to add some extra love and support to each of the wrestlers and coaches. In 2018, during Mary’s 80th year, she was honored with an award named after her, “The Mary Blosser Spirit of the Wildcat Award”. This is awarded each year to the person demonstrating years of love for Hixson Wildcat Wrestling.

Mary believed that God was involved in the creation of the United States of America and had always felt grateful for the Constitution. She started a monthly study group, Concerned Citizens of the Constitution. This lasted for years and hundreds of people learned more about the inspired document of which they studied. She received a “Letter of Recognition and Appreciation” from Chuck Fleischmann, US Congressman.

During her Golden years, 2012-2021, Mary was extremely active in the Senior Olympic program. During the Tennessee Senior Olympics, she won 21 medals in Badminton; 7 Gold, Mixed Doubles; 2 Gold, 1 Silver Women’s Doubles; 1 Silver in Women’s Singles. She qualified for the National Senior Olympic Games 7 times.

Mary Lavina Sommers Blosser is preceded in her transition to Paradise by her parents, Chris Saylor, Mary Idella Lepsey; 4 siblings, Bonnie Parks Evans, Jim Saylor, George Lepsey, Marchelle Lepsey Smith; 2 husbands, Gene A Sommers, Jacky D Blosser; one son, Gene A Sommers, Jr, one daughter in law, Cheryl Posey Sommers; She is survived by one sibling, Evelyn Dernoll; 3 sons, David A Sommers, Michael J Blosser, Jacky D Blosser, Jr; 3 daughters in law, Michelle Skousen Sommers, Flora Fang Blosser, Shannon Brown Blosser; 18 Grandchildren and 21 Great GrandChildren.

Services will be as follows:

Visitation: Friday, November 5, 2021 from 6-8 p.m., at Chattanooga Funeral Home, North Chapel, Hwy 153, Hixson, TN.

Religious Funeral Service: Saturday, November 6, 2021, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Hamill Road, Hixson, TN., with President Jason Isaacson (Presiding) and Bishop Joseph Newton (Conducting).

Gravesite Dedication and Burial (private): 1:30-3 p.m., Hamilton Memorial Gardens, Hwy 153, Hixson, TN.

Pallbearers: Dallas Sommers, Spencer Sommers, LeGrand Sommers, Hunter Sommers, Savanna Blosser, and Sarah Blosser.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Hixson High School Wrestling Team.

Please share your thoughts and memories online at www.ChattanoogaNorthChapel.com

Arrangements by Chattanooga Funeral Home – North Chapel, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.