Mary Charlene LaMar

Mary Charlene LaMar, went to her heavenly home on July 27, 2025 after battling cancer. Mrs. LaMar was born to Geraldine and Leon Ziegler on May 27, 1950 in Chattanooga, TN where she graduated from Tyner High School. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Carson Newman College and a master’s degree of Social Work from the University of Tennessee.

Mrs. LaMar served as a social worker for Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home until having children of her own, dedicating her life to creating a loving and nurturing home for her husband of 43 years, Jack, and their two children. In later years, she opened The Tea Cottage, where she used her southern culinary skills to impact the lives of many individuals in the community.

God created Charlene with a very special gift of hospitality. She would ask questions that most would dare not inquire and would go out of her way to show kindness, not with an agenda, but because she genuinely cared about people. She viewed it as a calling to humbly and intentionally invest in the lives of people the Lord had placed in her path.

Mrs. LaMar was a member of Silverdale Baptist Church. She enjoyed gardening, playing the piano, cooking, and spending time with her grandkids.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved son, Ryan Jackson LaMar. She is survived by her husband, Jack LaMar, her daughter, Kathryn (Steven) Massaro, and her three grandchildren, Ella, James, and Owen Massaro. She is also survived by her brother, Terry (Cindy) Ziegler, brother-in-law, Chuck (Andrea) LaMar, sister-in-law, Georgia LaMar, and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 4-7:00PM on Wednesday, July 30, 2025 and from 1-2:00PM, before the 2:00PM service Thursday, July 31, 2025 at Chattanooga Funeral Home, Valley View Chapel, 7414 Old Lee Hwy.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Joni and Friends, international disability ministry, http://joniandfriends.org

Visit www.chattanoogavalleyviewchapel.com to share memories and words of comfort.

Arrangements entrusted to Chattanooga Funeral Home, Valley View Chapel.