Mary Helen Meredith
It is with deep sorrow and profound love that we announce the passing of Mary Helen Meredith, who entered into eternal rest on June 15, 2025, at the age of 88.
Born in Pembroke, Virginia, on April 21, 1937, Mary’s life was a testament to her unwavering faith and her deep love for family. She was a devoted wife to her beloved husband, Robert Lee Meredith, for more than 50 years until his passing. Together, they built a life rich in love and cherished memories.
Mary was a dedicated mother, a loving grandmother, and a proud great-grandmother. Her family was her greatest joy, and she created a legacy of warmth and togetherness through shared experiences, from camping trips when her children and grandchildren were young to memorable railway excursions, strolls along ocean boulevards, and adventurous mountain buggy rides.
A woman of strong work ethic, Mary was employed at the sewing factory in Narrows and worked in the apple orchard up Doe Creek in her earlier years. She later dedicated 27 years of service to Virginia Tech before retiring at the age of 62.
Mary’s life was shaped by a strong, unwavering commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. She inherited a rich faith tradition from her parents, particularly her mother, Lora Elizabeth Williams, a longtime associate of the Pentecostal Holiness Churches. Later in life, Mary became a member and a staunch supporter of the Pearisburg Church of God, attending regularly until her health made it difficult. Her faith was vividly expressed through her love for song; for many years, she played gospel music with her sisters and brothers, filling their homes with sounds of praise. Above all, her greatest desire was to minister God's love and mercy to her friends and family, urging them to follow Christ.
Those who knew Mary will remember that her smile could light up any room and that her laugh was medicine for the soul. She found great joy in taking trips with her loved ones, especially with her older sister, Mardell, to their favorite destination, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, nestled in the heart of the Smoky Mountains. The Christmas season was her favorite time of year. She delighted in hanging Christmas lights on her porch and singing carols that reminded her of her childhood. As she grew older, Christmas bingo became a treasured holiday tradition. Mary always enjoyed a little something sweet after her meals, a fond habit she inherited from her father.
In her final years, she found peace and contentment sitting by the window in an old rocking chair, listening to the rain and watching the falling snow.
Left to cherish her wonderful memory are her sisters, Barbara Gray, Bonnie Hobbs, Betty Southern, and Dicky Huffman; her daughters Vanessa Meredith and Rena Meredith McCroskey; her son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Linda Meredith; her son-in-law, Ray Leonard Simpkins; her grandsons and granddaughter-in-law, Travis Robertson, Gary Robertson, Mike Meredith, and Shawn and Angel McCroskey; her granddaughters and grandsons-in-law, Crystal Meredith, Marty and Brandy Midkiff, and Josh and Suzane Watson. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Dillan McCroskey, Kaitlyn McCroskey, Jordan Midkiff, Patience Midkiff, Lee Robertson, and Autumn Robertson, as well as numerous other great-great-grandchildren.
Those who knew her best can honestly say: “Heaven will never welcome a sweeter momma…maybe as sweet, but not no sweeter.” Her constant reminder of God’s love and her ability to see the best in everyone will be dearly missed.
The family will receive friends at a time of visitation on Sunday, June 22, 2025 from 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM in Kendall Funeral Home. A funeral service will be conducted on Sunday, June 22, 2025 at 3:00 PM in Kendall Funeral Home. Funeral Services will conclude in her family cemetery in Pembroke, Virginia where she will be laid to rest. A guestbook is available to send condolences to the family by visiting www.kendallfuneralhome.com. The staff of Kendall Funeral Home is honored to serve the Meredith family.
