Mary Kathryn Loper

Mary Kathryn Loper of Hendersonville passed peacefully on August 8th at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, surrounded by her family.

She was born September 26, 1980 in Tuscaloosa, AL. The family soon moved to Hendersonville, TN where she spent her remaining years. She was a proud member of the Beech High School graduating class of 1999 and loved to attend their football games.

Mary had a large community of friends and family through her membership at First Baptist Church, her participation in Project 22, and bowling with the Special Needs Sports Foundation. She loved her Sunday School class at First Baptist and singing with the Weekley Hall Singers both at church and at area nursing homes.

She had a wide variety of interests including professional wrestling, collecting dvds of her favorite shows and movies, and contemporary Christian music. She was a passionate University of Alabama fan and followed football and women's gymnastics particularly closely. She loved attending concerts and plays and taking trips to the zoo (when it wasn't 'too blooming hot' as she would say) and was very proud to be a zoo member.

Mary was very social and loved to be on the go--out to eat, visiting with friends and family, playing board games, and shopping. She had a significant purse collection and did her part to keep Bath and Body Works in business. As soon as one outing was finished or item purchased, she was ready to move on to the next item on the list.

Mary was smart, funny, and very intuitive. She had a good memory and helped mom keep the household running. She was very caring and sweet; if she told you she loved you, she 100% meant it. Most importantly Mary loved Jesus and knew that she was loved by Him. She had a few difficult years with health challenges and we know that she is now at rest with Him and that we will be together again.

We'd like to thank all the medical professionals and staff both locally and at Vanderbilt who provided such loving care to her through these times. Also, words cannot express our thankfulness to the anonymous donor from First Baptist who provided a kidney to Mary and allowed her to live a richer, fuller life for the last five plus years.

She is survived by her devoted parents, Margie and Lonnie Loper, her brother Michael and sister-in-law Missy Loper, her sister Karen and brother-in-law Brian Disney, as well as her niece and nephews McKenzie (Ricky) Heagarty, Ryne (Brooke) Loper, and Houston Loper and great-nephews, Ford and Baker Heagarty. She is also survived by aunts, uncles, and cousins who loved and spoiled her dearly. And we can't forget her beloved pet Yorkie, Mr. Carson.

Visitation will be Friday, August 15th, at the chapel at First Baptist Church Hendersonville from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. with service to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Project 22 or the Special Friends Connect Group at First Baptist.