Obituary of Mary Suvarnam Thorlapati

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” - Psalm 91:1-2

Mrs. Mary Suvarnam Raya passed away peacefully and went to be with the Lord on Saturday January 19, 2019 at her youngest daughters’ residence, in Ashburn, Virginia.  She was 70. Mary Suvarnam was born on August 21, 1948, in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh in India, to Sundara Rao and Mariamma (Madde) Thorlapati. She is the youngest of three siblings, David Raju (Minnie Moses) and Ananda Rao (Achuta Mani) Thorlapati. She graduated from Schade Girls High School, Rajahmundry in 1966. She went to earn Bachelor of Science (B. Sc) degree from Andhra University in 1969, and Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) in 1970 at Training College, Rajahmundry.

Mary Suvarnam married Victor Raja Kumar Raya on April 21, 1971. She was a devoted wife, loving mother and beloved grandmother. She is survived by her 3 daughters, Sumitha Solomon (Paul Sivaswamy) of Peoria, Illinois; Kavitha Solomon (Bala Marimuthu) of Atlanta, Georgia; Mamatha Martha Solomon (Rufus Bhimanapalli) of Ashburn, Virginia and five grandchildren Sundar Paul, Akshay Raj, Suneet Solomon, Eliana Sarah Solomon and Yashuel Raj. She was preceded in death by her husband, both of her parents and her brothers.

Mary Suvarnam worked as school teacher for 30 years and retired as Head Mistress / Principal at Nivedita Kishore Vihar Elementary School in 2006. She served faithfully at St. Peters Lutheran Church as Parish Church Council member, Women’s Deacon, Women’s Samaj Treasurer and a lifelong member. She also served in Gideons International, supported several missions and evangelism ministries. To those who knew her, her profound faith, her gracious generosity, her compassionate heart, her warmhearted hospitality, her joyful laughs and her never fading beautiful smile stood out above everything else. She enjoyed cooking and she loved maintaining her home in Rajahmundry for the enjoyment of family and friends.

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 26, at 9 a.m., with visitation prior to the service starting at 8 a.m., at T.C.F Church 21673 Beaumeade Circle, Ashburn, Virginia (Entrance number 200 - Chapel).

Burial will be at Sterling Cemetery, 45835 W Church Rd, Sterling, Virginia at 11 a.m., followed by thanksgiving lunch at T.C.F Church (Room 700) at 12:30 p.m.

Funeral Service and Thanksgiving celebration will be streamed live online at WWW.TCFVA.COM site.

In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Mrs. Mary Suvarnam Raya may be made to T.C.F Church Memorial Fund either Online at WWW.TCFVA.COM site (under Need Help / Donate) or check mailed to T.C.F Church marked in memo line: Mary Suvarnam Raya Memorial. Online condolences at WWW.ADAMSGREEN.COM

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to all the family and friends that have supported and covered with prayers during this difficult time.

“Now therefore may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before you. For you, O Lord God, have spoken, and with your blessing shall the house of your servant be blessed forever.”  - 2 Samuel 7:29