Mary Beth Fain

Mary Beth Fain, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully Friday, April 24th, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.

Mary Beth was the loving wife of Bob Fain, with whom she shared 62 wonderful years of marriage. The two celebrated their anniversary together in February, a reflection of the deep love and commitment they shared throughout their lives.

She was a devoted mother to her daughter, Kimberly Koonce, and her husband Tony (New Bern, NC), and to her son, Dr. Allen Fain, and his wife Heather (Piedmont, SC). Mary Beth was a proud and loving grandmother to Logan Koonce, Mary Kate Fain and Brooks Fain. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Susan Kiser, and by her parents, James and Mary Beth Allen.

Mary Beth worked for many years at Western Auto, where she built lasting friendships and was known for her kindness and strong work ethic. After leaving the workforce, she devoted herself to her family and her church.

An avid reader, Mary Beth, could often be found with a book in her hands, enjoying the quiet comfort and joy that reading brought her. She was a faithful member of Ridge Baptist Church, where she found community, purpose, and fellowship.

Mary Beth had a gentle way of making people feel remembered and cared for. She often sent thoughtful notes for birthdays, difficult times, or simply to let someone know they were on her mind. Her kindness and caring spirit left a lasting impression on so many people.

Funeral arrangements will be handled by Greene Funeral Service. A service celebrating Mary Beth's life will be held at Ridge Baptist Church in Gastonia North Carolina, Monday, April 27th.

The family will receive friends from 1-2pm and the service will be 2pm.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the many caring, compassionate, and considerate hospice nurses who provided comfort and support during Mary Beth's illness.

In honor of Mary Beth's lifelong love of reading and literacy, the family encourages memorials to be made through donations of books to schools or to The Open Book Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting literacy and the love of reading throughout the Upstate of South Carolina.