Mrs. Mary Virginia Severt Yearick of Great Mills, Md., formerly of Ashe County, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015 at Chesapeake Shores Nursing Center in Lexington Park, Md. She was 86.

Mary was born on March 5, 1928 in Ashe County to the late Vennie Miller Severt and James Sherman Severt.

In 1958, Mary married James Yearick who was also from Ashe County but had moved to St. Mary's County years before in search of employment at what was "the new" Patuxent River Naval Air Station.

In Ashe County, Mary helped her family develop their cattle farm and worked at the Farmers' Cooperative Exchange (FCX) store. Then she came to Maryland where she was employed briefly at the Supply Department on the Naval Base. Mary's major career was a St. Mary's College of Maryland where she worked in the accounting department until her retirement in 1992.

Mary was a wonderful gardener and grew vegetables for her family and friends. She loved cooking southern style dinners and always made more than everyone could eat. Mary believed in education and started a scholarship fund to send children from Ashe County to Appalachian State University, as well as sending many of her family members to college. Mary and her brother, Thomas, donated mountain property to The Ebenezer Baptist Church Foster Children's Home so that new homes could be built and the children would have a very nice place to live. Mary also was involved in the building of the Hospice House in Callaway, Maryland. In the fall of 2014, Mary was inducted into the Signature Nursing Home Corporations Hall of Fame for her accomplishments in life and her charity work.

Mary attended the Lexington Park Baptist Church and enjoyed Bible study. Mary's greatest love was for her family and her friends. She enjoyed family events and visits with friends. Recently, Mary was a resident of the Chesapeake Shores Nursing Home and loved visits from both family members and friends. Mary and the family appreciate the wonderful care that the staff at Chesapeake Shores gave her.

Mary is survived by her son, John Yearick and his wife, Dr. Gail Yearick of Drayden, Md. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Christen Gail Yearick of Drayden, John Kyle Yearick of Baltimore and her adopted grandson, Christian Allen Burton of California, Md. Additionally, Mary is survived by many wonderful and loved in-laws, relatives and friends in Maryland, Delaware and North Carolina. Mary was predeceased by her parents; her husband, James Yearick; her brothers, Joe Severt and Thomas Severt; and an infant brother who died at birth.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015 at Boone Family Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Ken Morris officiating. Burial followed in the Ashelawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

You may give the family your condolences at www.boonefuneralhome.com.

Boone Family Funeral Home of West Jefferson was in charge of these arrangements.