Violet Arbogast Lake Cogar passed away Wednesday morning January 5, 2022 with family by her side.  Violet was born August 5, 1941 in Caress, West Virginia to the late Murriel and Darrel Arbogast.  In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her first husband Willard Clenley Lake, sister Velma Crist Post, brother Larry Arbogast, husband Samuel Cogar, and her son Willard Creed Lake

Violet embodied the traits of the antiques she collected over the years.  She was a beauty, a rarity, a woman of unique quality and features.  In short, she was a treasure.  Violet had a way of making everything beautiful – whether pruning her flowers, arranging her dishes, or making clothes that rivaled any catalogue back in the seventies.

She also had a way of making everything delicious.  Violet was a gourmet cook before being a chef was popular.  She fed her family and the people of Braxton County with her delectable dishes – from the elite supper club diners to the children of Braxton County Middle School where she retired.  She also fed us with words of wisdom whenever she spoke as eloquently and profoundly as the books she devoured.  She was an avid reader.

She always said about her beloved Fostoria American glass, “Make sure you get the pieces with sharp glass so you know it’s authentic”.   Violet was a most authentic woman – a true original.  Like her precious glass, she was also the sharpest woman.  She was so smart she skipped grades in school and graduated high school at 16.  Violet was also well traveled.  She spent time in Canada as a young mother, and visited her daughters and grandchildren in Florida, New Mexico, Oregon, and Colorado, as well as taking numerous trips across the country. She was the constant for her sons wherever they were in life.

Violet was beloved by many family members and friends.  Her life was hard in so many ways, but she was forever soft, sweet, compassionate and always reaching out to help her family.  Her children and grandchildren often teased her about being her “favorite”.  Her answer was always “I have no favorites.  Just sometimes one may need my attention more than others”.  We will miss her attention, her spirit, and her unconditional love.  Her legacy will live on through her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Violet will forever be remembered by her son Craig Lake, daughters, Cristy Murray, Crystal Godfrey, Cheryl Snider, and Carolyn Cosner.   She is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

Violet requested to forego a funeral and donated her body to science.  Her family requests that you donate to your local library in her memory and support those battling cancer.  Although our tears are flowing, we feel blessed that when our mother took her last breath, she entered heaven’s gates.  May she be surrounded by holy angels.  She was an angel on Earth.  We miss her dearly.  Help us to honor her memory by living a life of selfless love and service.  Amen and rest in peace, dear sweet Violet.

Words of comfort and fond memories may be extended to the family at www.roachfuneralhome.com.