In loving memory of Mary Lucille (Lipford) Lynch, born at home in West Chester, WV, to James Earl Sr. & Mary Naomi (King) Lipford, the youngest of 4 children (James Earl Jr. (Junior) Lipford, David (Dave) Lipford, & Herman Lipford). The story goes that the attending physician did not believe the infant Mary Lucille Lipford would survive infancy, so a birth certificate was not created. 93 years later, after numerous attempts and disappointments, Mary Lucille Lynch received documentation of her entry into this world, almost a year prior to her transitioning from home to be with her Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. Lacking a record of her birth did not influence the life she created for herself, her husband (William Lynch sr.) and her 14 children. Mary loved her husband and raising her children. On numerous occasions she would share that her children were her blessing. The lack of a birth certificate did not impact the influence she had on the neighborhood she raised her children, East Cleveland, Ohio. She was the mom that other families liked to have their children & teenagers spend time. The lack of a birth certificate did not influence her non-negotiable daily diet of prayer, bible reading, word search, Christian programming, watching law & order, more prayer, and talking on the phone with love ones. The lack of a birth certificate did not stop her, once her children became adults, to learning how to swim, becoming an employee in the Cleveland Public School System through the grandparent program as a teacher’s aide, studying and passing the exam for a certified nursing assistant, becoming an employee of Huron Road Hospital as a medical biller, and finally traveling all over the world. The lack of a formal birth record did not stop her from reminding her offspring, their offspring, family friends and whomever showed up for the annual Christmas eve celebration when she gently, lovingly, and with conviction reminded everyone present that without saying yes to Jesus, life did not exist and she never regretted saying yes to her Lord and Savior after 75 years and until she was called home to glory.

Mrs. Lynch, Aunt Cille, Momma, Grandma, Grandma Buddy she had many names and roles including the salutatorian of her graduating class of Kimball High School (Kimball, WV). She was one of the founding members of the Kimball High School Alumni Association. She loved attending her school reunions, however, upon the death of her husband, and the decline in physical health, attendance was sporadic. Even though in the latter years she did not attend in person, she was fiercely determined to contribute financially as an alumnus. After her high school graduation, Mary attended & completed Juanita Beauty School in Charleston, West Virginia. Several months after graduation, she and “Willie” decided that marriage was the next step and with her parents’ approval, married on October 15, 1949. They were “that couple” until “Willie’s death on October 5, 1993, 44 years later. Mary never stopped missing her “Willie”.

Shortly before saying “I do” to Mr. William Lynch “Willie”, she said “I do” to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Mary was baptized in the name of Jesus in August, 1949 and received the Holy Ghost in Roderfield, WV, her hometown. Around 1971, after her move to Cleveland, Ohio, she joined Pentecostal Church of Christ (PCC) in Cleveland, Ohio, her church home for approximately 53 years until her passing. Her most recent roles included several years as the President of the Mother’s Board and recently was appointed the mother of the church. Mary accepted whatever job was needed to help her church family from being a Sunday school teacher, singing in the choir, watching children, & cooking meals. Mother Lynch, as she was known by her church family, loved PCC. She loved her pastors and was so happy and relieved to see old PCC members returning to the church and new members choosing “her” church. Mother Lynch always said she preferred to work quietly behind the scenes, yet her “gifts” as an orator, writer, and her love of poetry propelled her to the front.

Mary Lynch leaves behind a legacy of love, the importance of having a relationship with God, and cherished memories, survived by ten children: Michael Lynch (Columbus, OH), Theresa (Wayne) Martin (Columbus, OH), Larry (Adrian) Lynch (Bedford Hts, OH), Ricky (Chriscelle) Lynch (Bedford, OH), Christine (DelRay) Sanders (Cleveland, OH), Margarita Lynch (Eastlake, OH), Naomi White (Tallmadge, OH), Marcia Elliott (South Euclid, OH), Stephen Lynch (Columbus, OH), & Earl Lynch (Tallmadge, OH).

Mary’s impact extends to the next generation, leaving behind 19 grandchildren who will carry on her love and spirit: Valerie (Ken) Alexander, William (Sherese) Bunkley, Michael Jamal (Krissa) Lynch, Mychelle Lynch, Courtney Lynch, Eddie Davis, Leonard (Tamira) Harris, Chris (Crystal) Harris, Rickie Lynch, Riana Lynch, Danielle (Corey) Ryan, Ariel Lynch, Teresa White, Timothy Lynch, Justin Elliott, Marcellus Elliott, Kimille Newsome, William Lynch, Earl Lynch, Jr., & Antonio (Tony) Lyons.

Her great-grandchildren, Nathan, Noah, Caleb, Janaiya, Micah, Michael Jamal Jamieson, Makennah Jade Cecilia, Zara Noelle, Michael Donell Cary Jr., Alexavier Christian, Zuri Christine, Mariah, Michelle, Mia & Makayla Marcia, Iyana, Eddie, Jaiden, Tavon, Tamiya, Christian, Ava, & Aiyden.

Her great-great grandchildren, Solace, Rome, & Eddie.

Mary is also survived by her special cousin- friend Helen Francine Gibbs, sister-in law- friend Annie Parrish, her “little sister” Mother Dallas, Mother Wilson, along with a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends who were touched by her warmth, kindness, and unwavering love of God throughout her remarkable journey.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband William Lynch Sr., four children (Galetha Antoinette Bunkley, William Lynch Jr., Pamella Sue Lewis, & Phillip Lynch), her parents (James Earl Sr. & Mary Naomi (King) Lipford), and her brothers (James Earl Jr. (Junior) Lipford, David (Dave) Lipford, & Herman Lipford).