Mrs. Mary Cook Kern, age 82, of Covington, Virginia, died Friday, December 31, 2021 at Bath Community Hospital, Hot Springs.

She was the wife of the late James Preston Kern, Sr.

Mrs. Kern was born April 21, 1939 in Alleghany County, the daughter of the late Emmett Oliver Cook and Clara Cook Fox.

A lifetime resident of this community, she was a homemaker who truly loved taking care of her family.

Mary enjoyed gardening, sewing, quilting, and cooking. She loved babysitting and was known to many as "Maw Maw Mary".

Mrs. Kern was a member of Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church.

She was a past member of Falling Spring Rescue Squad and Ladies Auxiliary. Mrs. Kern is survived by two daughters, Deborah "Debbie" Henderson and husband, Mike, Olivia "Libby" Nicely and husband, Timmy; a son, James Preston "Jim" Kern, Jr. and fiancée, April of Covington; four grandchildren, Matt Henderson and wife, Diana, Jacklyn Shiflett and husband, Jeffrey, Chad Henderson and wife, Kara and Adam Nicely and wife, Katelyn; eleven great grandchildren, Izayah Shiflett, Julius Shiflett, Myles Henderson, Cora Henderson, Quinn Henderson, Isla Henderson, Emma Nicely, Jayden Hinter, Austin Leavins, Kirsten Leavins and Cole Leavins; a brother, Johnny Fox of Covington; a number of nieces and nephews; four sisters-in-law, Brenda Kern, Betty Kern, Joyce Myers and Mary K, Morgan; and her best friend, Carole Gibson.

In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Kern was preceded in death by a brother, Isaac Fox and a sister, Clara Persinger.

A memorial service will be conducted at 5:00 p.m. Saturday, January 15, 2022 from the chapel of Loving Funeral Home with Rev. Matt Matlack officiating.

The family suggests that memorial tributes take the form of contributions to Falling Spring Fire and Rescue, P. O. Box 880, Covington, VA 24426 or Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, 3517 Jackson River Road, Covington, VA 24426.

Arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home; www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com.