UPDATE: Jan 14, 2022: The service for Ms. Kern has been postponed. Please contact the Loving Funeral Home for more information.
Mrs. Mary Cook Kern, age 82, of Covington, passed away peacefully Friday, December 31, 2021, with her children by her side at Bath Community Hospital, Hot Springs. She was the wife of the late James Preston “J.P.” Kern, Sr.
Mrs. Kern was born April 21, 1939 in Alleghany County, the daughter of the late Emmett Oliver Cook and Clara Cook Fox. Following Mr. Cook’s death, she was reared in the home of John “Daddy John” Fox, Sr. whom she loved dearly. 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 and Olivia “Libby” Nicely and husband, Timmy; a son, James Preston “Jim” Kern, Jr. and fiancée, April of Covington; seven grandchildren, Matt Henderson and wife, Diana, Jacklyn Nicely Shiflett and husband, Jeffrey, Chad Henderson and wife, Kara and Adam Nicely and wife, Katelyn, Austin Leavins, Kirsten Leavins and Cole Leavins; eight great grandchildren, Izayah Shiflett, Julius Shiflett, Myles Henderson, Cora Henderson, Quinn Henderson, Isla Henderson, Emma Nicely and Jayden Hiner; a brother, Johnny Fox and wife, Linda of Covington; a brother-in-law, Seymour Kern; a number of nieces and nephews; five sisters-in-law, Brenda Kern, Betty Kern, Helen Fox, 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 has been postponed, from the chapel of Loving Funeral Home with Rev. Mike Matlack officiating. The family will receive their friends following the service.
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.