Mary Virginia Lewis Kestner

Mary Virginia Lewis Kestner, 90, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at Snyder Nursing Home in Salem, Virginia.

Mary was born on Thursday, June 2, 1935, in Abingdon, Va., to the late John Marshall Lewis and Celia Roxie Blevins Lewis. Additionally, she was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Ernest Carter Kestner.

She grew up in Damascus, Va., alongside her 7 brothers and 5 sisters. She graduated from Liberty High School in Meadowview, Va. She retired from the Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Mary was a devoted wife and mother. She enjoyed reading her Bible and attending church. In her younger years, she loved participating in the Salem Pentecostal Holiness Church women's auxiliary and for many years focused on raising funds and supplies for Falcon Children's Home. She loved reading Bible stories to her children and assisted in church Christmas plays involving children.

Mary's hobbies included her love of cooking, baking, planting flowers, and reading many books. She enjoyed nature and loved looking at birds and butterflies.

Mary is survived by her children, Gwen Woods (Dan) of Eden, N.C., Melinda Hopkins of Salem, Va., Sheila Melki (Pierre) of Roanoke, Va., Darlene Ullom of Salem, Va., and Lawrence Kestner (Cheryl) of Salem, Va. In addition, Mary is survived by her sister, Sarah "Sutie" Perry (Marvin) of Seven Mile Ford, Va.; brothers, Gene Lewis of Fishersville, Va., and Walter Lewis (Alice) of Fishersville, Va.; and her special sisters-in-law, Sarah Kestner London Clark of Eden, N.C. Carolyn Lewis of Abingdon, Va.; and Mary was blessed with 15 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Christian Life International located at 1 CLI Way in Salem, Va., with a period of visitation beginning at 10 a.m. followed by a service at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Sherwood Memorial Park, also in Salem, Va. Senior Pastor, Ryan Linkous, and Student Pastor, Josh Kestner, will officiate.

Inlieuofflowers, donations maybemade to Christian Life International Awaken Student Mission Trip. Online condolences may be expressed at www.johnmoakey.com.