Mary Lynn Whitman

Mary Lynn Whitman, formerly of Davidson, NC, passed away on January 3rd, 2025, at the age of 74. She was a resident of Preston House Memory Care in Charlotte at the time of her death. 

Mary Lynn was born in Dayton, OH. Her family lived in California for a short time then moved to Orlando, FL, where she grew up. She attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where she earned her B.S and M.S degrees. In her senior year she received UT’s Torchbearer award for scholarship, leadership and service.

After graduation, she worked as a Public Relations Specialist at Oak Ridge Associated Universities in Oak Ridge, TN. In 1980, she moved to Dothan, AL, to work for Farley Nuclear Plant where she served in public relations and training roles. 

She and her husband, Gary, met in Dothan where they married in May, 1985. One month later they moved to NC, settling in Davidson.

Their son, Patrick, was born in 1988 and Mary Lynn devoted most of her time and energy to home schooling. Her favorite answer to a question was, lovingly, “figure it out.” She was very proud when he enrolled at Davidson College and went on to study medicine. 

During and after the homeschool years, Mary Lynn reviewed children’s books for local publications. She was a natural at this venture as she liked to write and was often a child at heart.

Mary Lynn’s firm, unwavering faith in Jesus Christ was the most significant influence on her life from an early age. Her heart remained open for opportunities to demonstrate and share her faith, and did it lovingly. 

Mary Lynn was perceptive and had a big, tender heart. If someone was in need, she stepped in to welcome, befriend, encourage, comfort, grieve, and celebrate as her big heart prompted.

She was an extrovert and enjoyed activities that fed her outgoing and social personality. She taught Sunday school to children of all ages, hosted Christmas parties where the kids decorated gingerbread houses, shepherded homeschoolers on field trips to historic places, fed the Davidson College swim team (of which Patrick was a member), cheered for Patrick at club and college swim meets, and loved watching her perfect grandchildren play. She also enjoyed traveling, dancing, talking with good friends, and dark chocolate. 

Mary Lynn was preceded in death by her parents, Dallas Luke Jacobs, Jr. and Betty Rose Jacobs, and younger brother, Alan Jacobs. 

She is survived by her husband, Gary, their son, Patrick (Ashley) and grandchildren, Iyari and Xóchitl of Salem, OR, and brothers, Dal Jacobs (Julie) of Seattle, WA, and Chris Jacobs of Orlando, FL. 

Visitation and service will be at Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home in Huntersville, NC on Friday, January 10, 2025. Visitation will be at 11:00 AM followed by the service at 12:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Hickory Grove Baptist Church, Charlotte, NC https://www.shelbygiving.com/App/Form/853c4486-244b-48e4-a911-89a34e149a4e; Campus Outreach https://www.cocharlotte.org/giving, Charlotte, NC; or VIA Health Partners https://www.viagiving.org/one-time-giving.