Marietta Elkins Lawhorn

On Sunday, March 27, 2022, Marietta Elkins Lawhorn passed away peacefully at home at the age of 95.

Marietta was born on May 18th, 1926, in Knoxville TN, to Bell and Maggie Elkins. She was the youngest of two children, Marietta and her older brother, Ralph Elkins grew up and went to school in Knoxville TN. Marietta enjoyed participating in the school choir, going to the school football games, the soda shop, spending time with her family along with the many aunts, uncles and cousins who lived in the neighboring cities.

While growing up in Knoxville, and shortly after graduating High School. She went to work for the University of Tennessee working in the library. Around the same time Marietta’s brother Ralph introduced Marietta to his girl’s friend brother, William Lawhorn. Marietta had met the love of her life.

On December 7, 1947, she married the love of her life William Leroy Lawhorn. During this time William joined the Navy to do his part in protecting our country. Once William was stationed, Marietta followed. Marietta and William started a family and Marietta spent her time supporting her husband, being a homemaker, while starting to raise the children.

Over the next 20 years she traveled, lived, and explored various places with her husband William where he was stationed, as they expanded their family. She lived Puerto Rico, Kentucky, Virginia, Florida, Hawaii and finally Alameda CA. Marietta and her husband decided in 1960, at the end of Williams 20-year military career, that they liked California. They decided Fremont CA. would be where they would settle and finish raising their family. Marietta and her husband William were blessed with six wonderful children, Sarah, Bill, Debbie, Mike, Ralph, and Lon.

Marietta loved spending time at the beach, collecting shells and spending time with her children. The Family holidays and Barbeques were always special, and a favorite of hers and the family. Marietta was an incredibly loving, talented women. She loved baking, sewing, quilting, gardening, crafting, wood working, participating in the church choir and was an avid piano player. She belonged to the Quilting Guild and had much of her work displayed.

Marietta was a loving and caring wife, mother, and daughter. Her family meant the world to her, and she showed it and spoke it to them every day. Marietta was the type of Mom that all her children’s friends called Mom, because of the compassion, love and care she had and shared with all.

She was the pillar of the family, who loved, and was deeply loved. Words cannot express the sorrow that is felt from her loss. She will forever be in our hearts and minds, we love you always, and forever Mom.

Marietta was predeceased by her husband William Leroy “Bill” Lawhorn and son James William Lawhorn.

Marietta is survived by her Sons, Mike Lawhorn of Fremont CA., Ralph Lawhorn and wife Joan of Livermore CA., Lon Lawhorn, and his wife Stacy of Santa Cruz, CA., Her Daughters, Sarah Rausch of Joplin MO., and Debbie Martin of Grove OK. Grandchildren Cathy, Racheal, Peggy, Travis, Kasandra, Kyle, Mary, and many Great Grandchildren.