Fern Hanlin Coberly, 88, of Glenville, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday May 28, 2017 at Genesis Healthcare, Glenville Center. She was born July 21, 1928 in Kanawha County, a daughter of P.A. and Nellie Gay Dye Hanlin.
After graduation from Tanner High School, Gilmer County in 1946, she attended Glenville State College in Glenville. She earned an accredited Records Technician Certificate and served as Medical Records Librarian at Spencer State Hospital in Spencer, WV. She attended Spencer Baptist Temple where she served as Sunday school teacher and helped with the Youth Ministry.
Fern was united in marriage to Ray E. Coberly on May 18, 1947 and widowed in 1974.
Fern was a graduate of Appalachian Bible College with honors, staying on to serve as Dean of Women until retiring. She began writing poetry as a teenager and continued throughout her life, with approximately five thousand poems to date. She shared her poems with family and friends in her monthly paper, Golden Gems. She is a published author of two books of Christian poems. Highlights of her many summer travels throughout the United States and Europe, with her sister, Phyllis, were all documented from morning to night in poetry form.
Fern was an active member of the Church of the Open Door, while residing in Elyria, Ohio. Upon her return to the Glenville area, she continued her life’s service to the Lord as a member of the Sand Fork Baptist Church and making her home with her nephew and caretaker, Jack Whiting.
Survivors include her sister Lois Hanlin Phillips of Meridian, Idaho and sister-in-law Janell Fling Hanlin of Barberton, Ohio, and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Fern was preceded in death by her husband Ray E. Coberly, infant sister Joanne, and sisters Donna Hanlin Whiting (Asa) and Phyllis Hanlin Butler (Waldo); brothers Bruce (Gin) Hanlin, Paul (Bonnie and Marlyn) Hanlin, Carl (Claire and Loucette) Hanlin, and Dale (Janell) Hanlin.
The family wishes to acknowledge all management and staff of Genesis Healthcare, Glenville Center, for their attention, love, and support.
A funeral service is being conducted at Stump Funeral Home, Grantsville, WV on Sunday June 4, 2017. Visitation is 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. with service at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Bryan Groves officiating. Interment will be at Pisgah Methodist Church (DeKalb) Cemetery, Glenville, WV.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Appalachian Bible College, PO Box ABC, Bradley, WV 25818 or phone 304-877-6428. On line condolences may be expressed at www.stumpfuneralhomes.com.

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