Mary A. Koch, age 92, entered her Heavenly home on Friday, March 31, 2023. Mary was born to John F.  and Bertha Kelley Horney on August 6, 1930, in Baltimore, Maryland. She was the youngest of 12 children. Mary was adopted at age 2.  Mary's only parents she knew was Frederick Herman and Eva Ralston Jones.  Mary grew up an only child living in Baltimore City near Patterson Park, on a farm on Moravia Rd and in Baltimore County on the shore and a single family home on Bennet Rd. Mary had a 7 ^th grade education. On April 5, 1958, at 27 years of age, Mary married the love of her life, Bernard Koch. The Kochs welcomed a daughter, Bernice C. Groves and a son, Paul W. Koch.

Mary worked at the Social Security Administration Building, Sewing Factory, the Susse Chalet and the Piano Store. Mary volunteer at Johns Hopkin Bayview for 15 years.

Mary attended the Essex Church of God for 56 years. (1958-2014) She was the organist, sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, participated in the Ladies Ministries and she played the piano/keyboard for the Nursing Home ministry. Wherever there was a place to serve in ministry, Mary was there. In 2014, Mary attended Living Hope Ministries.

Affectionately and commonly known as "Miss Mary, Sis. Koch, Mommy, Mom Mom" Mary's greatest joy was serving others.  She was her happiest reading God's Word, praying, singing, being with family, being around all the animals she has ever owned, pulling weeds in the yard, sewing, camping, boating, swimming, sharing the good news about Jesus and going to church.  Mary leaped at every opportunity to show kindness to all she met. Mary never drove a car, she walked everywhere she went, except for church. Every service there was she called someone to come and pick us up for church and if no one was available she would say, kids start to pray and sure enough the next person she called could come and pick us up. We never missed church because of a ride.

Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Bernard C. Koch, her father and her mother, Frederick Herman Jones; father and Eva Ralston Jones; mother.

She is survived by her daughter Bernice and her husband Rev. Robert W. Groves Jr. and her son, Paul W. Koch, grandson Rev. Robert W. Groves III and his wife Amanda N., and granddaughter Caitlin S. Gibson and her husband, Major Zachary L. Gibson, USMC.

To honor the life of Mary, friends and family can attend visitation on Thursday, April 13 ^th from 2pm to 4pm and 7pm to 9 pm at Peaceful Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Center, 2325 York Rd Timonium, Maryland. The service will be held at Living Hope Ministries, 14525 Old York Rd. Phoenix, MD on Friday, April 14 ^th at 11 am. Following the service, Mary will be laid to rest at the Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery, 11501 Garrison Forest Rd, Owings Mills, MD 21117.

The family would like to extend their appreciation and gratitude to Evonne Allen for helping care for Mary during the past 3 years.