Mary Elizabeth Linkenhoker Watkins, age 86, of 108 S. Marion Avenue, Covington, Virginia, died Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at LewisGale Hospital - Alleghany in Low Moor.

Mary Elizabeth was born September 24, 1928 in Akron, Ohio, to the late Paul Vernon and Merle Gaylor Linkenhoker.

She was an office manager for Home Oil many years ago, and a homemaker throughout her life.

She was a member of Granbery Memorial United Methodist Church, where she was a founding member of the Suppertime Ministries, and member of the Philethian Sunday School Class.

She volunteered her time faithfully every Monday at the Brian Center with the "Singing Chefs".

In addition to her parents, Mary Elizabeth was preceded in death by her first husband, Obert Nicely, her second husband, James Watkins, and a brother-in-law, O. L. "Slick" Williams.

She is survived by a daughter, Lynette Reynolds and husband, Bill, a son, Kevin Nicely and wife, Patty, and a sister, Joann Williams, all of Covington; five grandchildren, Paul Reynolds and Taura, Aaron Reynolds and wife, Kelly, Mark Reynolds and wife, Lindsay, Brittany Elmore and husband, Timmy, and Ryan Nicely and wife, Gioia; seven great grandchildren, Caleb Reynolds, Harlie Reynolds, Breanna Reynolds, Trista Reynolds, Trenton Reynolds, Mazi Elmore and Meirco Elmore; and a special friend, Margaret Pittman.

A funeral service will be conducted on Friday, January 30, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. from Granbery Memorial United Methodist Church in Covington with Reverend James Smith officiating. Interment will follow in Alleghany Memorial Park, Low Moor.

Active pallbearers will be Craig Madison, J. D. Williams, Butch Curtin, Jerry Morgan, Larry McCallister and C.J. Entsminger. Honorary pallbearers will be Dave Wenke, Jim Linkenhoker, Carlton Morton and Dr. David Crandall.

The family will receive friends on Friday afternoon from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service at Granbery Memorial United Methodist Church.

The Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge is handling arrangements. The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the Brian Center Activities Fund, C/O Marie Bailey, P. O. Box 200, Low Moor, VA 24457.