Spokesman-Review; Spokane WA; 2007-12-9

LAKE, Pauline Evelyn 
Pauline Lake was born September 18, 1915 in Jackson, Tennessee where
she attended school and met her sweetheart Sylvester. They married
after her graduation from Merry High School and she remained his
wife for the next 68 years. While growing up in Jackson, Pauline was
surrounded by many family and friends and especially enjoyed summers
spent at her grandfather's farm. She learned to sew from her mother
Mary Bell the local seamstress and was noted for creative clothing
designs for herself and other family members. Pauline came west to join
her husband in Grand Coulee where he found work constructing the Grand
Coulee Dam. It was there daughters Sylvia and Mona were born. Upon the
dam's completion, she moved to Spokane and immediately became active
in the community. Even while raising her family Pauline always found
time to care for others. She was a mother to many and a helpful friend
to senior citizens. Pauline volunteered for the YWCA, the Cancer Thrift
Store and Head Start. She was recently recognized by Gonzaga University
for her service to the community. Her employment included the Crescent
Department Store and the Spokane County Courthouse where she served
as a bailiff. Pauline was one of the last remaining members of the
Northwest Black Pioneers Club. "Mother Lake" was a devout Christian
and Calvary Baptist Church was the place she spent more than 60 years
demonstrating her faith. At the time of her death, she was Calvary's
oldest living member. She began there by teaching Sunday School and
later became the Superintendent. She served in the missionary circle
and was a deaconess. Often she was selected to speak for church programs
to recall Calvary's history. She modeled for many her genuine belief in
the Golden Rule. Pauline Lake was a long time member of the Prince Hall
Order of The Eastern Star. She joined the Spokane Chapter O.E.S and soon
became the worthy matron. Serving in many capacities, she moved through
the ranks and attained the highest office as the Grand Worthy Matron for
the State of Washington and its Jurisdiction. The Masonic family was an
integral part of her and Sylvester's life and they made many lifelong
friends during their fraternal service. Pauline loved to garden and
then cook what she had grown in her kitchen using one of her special
recipes. Her garden included flowers and vegetables that she shared
with friends and neighbors. Using her soprano voice, she loved to sing
at church and especially at home to her daughters and grandchildren. As
the wife of a golfer she became a good listener and endured many stories
of "I almost won" and "I figured it out now". She was a member of the
unique golfer's wives social group. Her passion was her family. As the
matriarch of the Lakes, she was active in the lives of the children
and grandchildren and always concerned about their happiness. She made
certain there were educational opportunities available for them to do
their best. She was preceded in death by her husband Sylvester Lake and
daughter Sylvia Lake Finley also her parents Mary Bell and Eddie Sims,
sisters Will Jones, Alberta (Doll) Burton and Cora Jones. She leaves
behind a daughter Mona Lake Jones (husband Joe), grandchildren Michelle
and Brandon Finley (father John), Brent Jones (wife Janine), Dana Walker
(husband Bill) and great grandchildren Bryce and Kyndal Walker and Nia
Jones, sisters Vivian Ferguson and Dora Jones. Also a host of nieces,
nephews family and friends mourn her departure. Funeral services will be
held at Calvary Baptist Church, 203 E. 3rd Ave, Spokane, WA, on Wednesday,
December 12, 2007 at 11:30 a.m. Memorial contributions can be made to
Lake Scholarship Funds, Calvary Baptist Church.