Obituary of Mary Britten Hill Lynch

Mary B. Lynch departed this earthly life on Monday, October 14, 2024 and joined her husband and other family members in their eternal home. Mary B. was born September 30, 1931 in Pruden, KY. Her family moved to LaFollette, TN when she was 12 and then to Chattanooga for her senior of high school. She graduated from Chattanooga High School in 1952. She then attended University of Chattanooga majoring in Art and English. While at UC she enjoyed cheerleading, her sorority ADPI, and was honored to be the sweetheart of Sigma Chi. She was presented in the 1953 Cotton Ball. At UC she met Jim Lynch whom she married on October 6, 1956. They were married 65 years until his passing in January of 2022. Mary B. began her lifelong career as an artist after college. Her talent was multidimensional; expressed through a variety of mediums. She was recognized not only on the local art scene but received much recognition nationallyand garnered many national awards throughout her lifetime. Her works were published in New York Art Review, American Artist and Who’s Who in American Art as well as many other publications. Her works are included in 22 permanent collections around the country. She founded the Tennessee Watercolor Society in 1971 and was honored at the 50th year of TWS in 2016. She was also an elected member of the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, the Southern Watercolor Society and the National Association of Women Artists. Mary B. also inspired many other artists as a teacher and instructor. She taught art to the students at Lookout Mountain Elementary while her daughter Holly was attending school there. She went on to start the art department for Chattanooga Christian School and wasalso the school’s first tennis coach. She enjoyed holding art workshops for aspiring artists at her church. The Church of the Good Shepard was Mary B. and Jim’s spiritual home for the 45 years they lived on Lookout Mountain. She held many volunteer jobs at the churchmost importantly lending her talent to creating the biblical drawings for the Easter and Christmas programs. A trip to NYC after 9/11 with 11 others from the church, left a lasting impression on her. The group served as volunteers at Ground Zero providing food for the police and firemen. The sites and scenes from that trip inspired her Ground Zero Series which was very personal for her. She was an avid tennis player and runner competing in many road races around town. She volunteered for many organizations in the Chattanooga area. She was always on the move and loved life to the fullest. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Jim, parents, Fred and Mary Hill, brother Walter Hill, sisters Helen Teeters, Hazel Bydalek, Margaret Cox, Hallie Archer and their spouses as well as her brother- in -law, Bill Roy. She is survived by her daughter Holly (Marc) Harwell, her sister Carla Roy, her niece Robin (Bret) Moldenhauer and their sons, Will and Eli, her nephew Chris (Jamie) Roy and their sons, Logan and Matthew along with many other nieces and nephews outside of the Chattanooga area. A memorial and interment of ashes service will be held on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 3pm in the Caldwell Memorial Garden at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 211 Franklin Rd, Lookout Mtn., TN. A reception will be held following the service honoring both Mary B. and Jim in the Talbird Parish Hall. During the last few weeks of her life, there were many loving caregivers who attended to her. The staff at Memorial ER, 2nd and 3rd floor south, LifeCare of Hixson and Legacy Hospice and most importantly the angels on earth at her home Thrive at Browwood. The family wishes to thank all of them for their kindness and dedicated care during her final days. Memorial Contributions can be made to the Hunter Art Museum, Association for Visual Artists (AVA) and The Church of the Good Shepherd. Arrangements are by Wann Funeral & Cremation Center, at the foot of historic Lookout Mountain, St. Elmo. (423) 821-7551 Share your memories, stories, and photos at wannfuneralhome.com.