Mary Hepner

Mary Elizabeth Hepner, age 95, formerly of Winchester, Virginia, passed away on July 9, 2025 at the Loudoun Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.

She was born on July 22, 1929 Sunny Ridge of Round Hill in Loudoun County, VA to the late William Franklin and Susie Viola (nee: Boyd) Marcus. She is last of her siblings to pass and will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Mary was a homemaker and also retired at age 76 as a supervisor from Belk (formally Leggetts) in Winchester, VA in 2005 after 22 years of service. She was a very independent person who lived alone and took care of her own finances and medical affairs. She loved doing crossword and search puzzles, reading novels, and cooking/caring for her family and friends. Mary loved playing the piano and guitar, as well as singing. She played the piano for many years at the Ebenezer Church of God in Clark County, VA - her favorite song was When They Ring Those Golden Bells.

In April of 2022, at age 92, Mary entered the Lovettsville Home Assisted Living facility. Her residency at the Lovettsville Home brought her new friends, cultures, and activities. She also played the keyboards at the Lovettsville Home with a little prodding. In October of 2023, at age 93, Mary entered the Loudoun Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Leesburg, VA. Our family would like to express our gratitude to the staffs of both facilities for their loving care.

In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her first husband, Hillary Neal James, Sr. (1961); her second husband, Orlan Carl Hepner, Sr. (1987); her sons, Stephen P. James and Wilbur N. James; her brothers, William Marcus, Lester Marcus, Mahlon Marcus, Havard Marcus, Russell Marcus, and Herman Marcus; and her sisters, Ruth Marcus, Leola Cubbage, Hyenthae "Tootsie" Lanham, Martha Lanham, and Evelyn James.

She is survived by her son, Hillary N. James, Jr. and his wife, Belinda along their two children, Matthew and Jennifer of Frederick, MD; her daughter, Nancy E. Hunter; her grand-son, Stanley Hunter and his children, Jett (and son, Malachi) and Zachary of Tulsa, OK; her grand-daughter, Anne Marie Shipman and her husband, Jim along with their children, Adam and Nicole of Winchester, VA; as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

Services will be private. Arrangements are provided by Colonial Funeral Home of Leesburg, VA.

Interment will be held at Trissel Cemetery, New Lebanon, Montgomery County, Ohio next to Mary's second husband, Orlan C. Hepner, Sr.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Mary's memory to the American Diabetes Association, Winchester Area Chapter, P.O. Box 3271, Winchester, Virginia 22604