Mary Lou Hoops Howery passed away peacefully on Friday, March 18, 2022 in Tazewell, VA, surrounded by her loving children.  Born September 24, 1942, she was the daughter of the late Rev. Charles B. Hoops and Mary Lucille Williams Hoops.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin D. Howery, Sr., her brother Ben Hoops, and two infant sisters.  She is survived by her four children, Rebecca Denise Howery Holt (Michael) of Nashville, TN, Marvin D. Howery, Jr. of Ashburn, VA, and Charles E. Howery and William D. Howery of Bluefield, VA.

Mary Lou was a 1960 graduate of Richlands High School.  Although her career in the insurance industry spanned nearly forty-five years, she will be most remembered as a loving, compassionate, and fiercely devoted mother, wife, daughter and sister.  Mary Lou enjoyed cooking and baking for her family, particularly during the holidays, when she also found great joy in meticulously decorating her home.  She loved classic country music ("Willie's Roadhouse" was her satellite radio station of choice), although she would occasionally grant a few select modern country artists (and a pop musician or two) a second listen.  She was an aficionado of television and cinema classic Westerns of the 1950s thru 1970s.  Gunsmoke and Wagon Train were good; Tombstone Territory and Bat Masterson were a bit better.

The family will receive visitors at 11:00 AM, Monday, March 21, 2022, at Dudley Funeral Home in Bluefield, VA.  Funeral services will be conducted at 11:30 AM, followed by the burial at Grandview Memory Gardens.