Bessie "Betsy" Stone Mattox

Bessie “Betsy” Stone Mattox, 75, of Stanleytown passed away peacefully in her home on Saturday, March 18, 2017. She was born April 13, 1941 in Martinsville. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cloy M. Mattox, Jr., her mother, Bessie Via Stone, her uncle Leonard Via, and her maternal grandparents, King and Martha Via.

Betsy was a member of Bassett Memorial United Methodist Church, a graduate of John D. Bassett High School Class of 1959, and Wake Forest University, Class of 1963. She began her career teaching at John Redd Smith in sixth and seventh grade. She went on to become a co-principal at Samuel H. Hairston and a principal at Fieldale Primary. She also was a supervisor of curriculum for elementary through high school, director of instruction and assistant superintendent of instruction and principal at Axton Middle School before retiring. She spent 41 years in the Henry County School System. After retiring she was elected to the school board for three terms.

She is survived by cousins, nieces, and nephews. She enjoyed playing bridge and going to new restaurants to enjoy a delicious meal.

A funeral is scheduled for noon, Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at Collins Funeral Home in Bassett with Pastor Tom Auker officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home starting at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will follow at Roselawn Burial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to; Bassett Memorial United Methodist Church at P.O. Box 408, Bassett, VA, 24055; Mountain Valley Hospice, 18981 Jeb Stuart Highway, Stuart, VA, 24171; and the SPCA of Martinsville and Henry County, 132 Joseph Martin Highway, Martinsville, VA 24112.

The family also wishes to express their gratitude to the wonderful caregivers, Carolyn Blevins, Michelle Lyons, Stacey Haynes, Theodosia Wooten, Anita DeShazo, Shannon Bowling, Sherita Stanley, and Shannon Chitwood. Special thanks to Mountain Valley Hospice. The family also would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Rose Mary Stone, Kim Roher, Bill Kinney, and Mary Wallace for their assistance along with Tom and Lynn Fitzgibbons for their guidance.