Mary Hodnett Mathews

Mary Hodnett Mathews, 105, went home to be with the Lord on August 9, 2015. Mary was predeceased by her beloved husband of 64 years, Dr. Emmett C. Mathews who died October 7, 2000. She was also predeceased by her brothers James A. Hodnett, Jr. and Fred A. Hodnett, Sr. and her sister Annette H. Ittner. She is survived by her three children Dr. Emmett C. Mathews, Jr. (Ginny) of Charlotte, N.C., Sara M. Fisher (Jim), and David H. Mathews (Brenda) of Richmond. She took great pleasure in her six grandchildren and their families, Richard H. Mathews (Ellie), Susan M. Duvall (Roger), John M. Fisher, Catherine F, Roberts (Matt), David H. Mathews, Jr. (Lindsay), and K. Britten Mathews and in her 5 great-grandchildren, William, Michael, Emma Grace, Alex, and Sloan. She was born in Chatham, Va., on November 20, 1909 and graduated from Chatham Hall and Westhampton College of the University of Richmond. Before marrying and raising her family, she taught school for several years. Mary was very active in church and community activities in Richmond, including The Commonwealth Chapter, NSDAR, The Elderslie Garden Club, The Tuckahoe Woman’s Club, Westhampton College Alumnae Association, The National Society of the Magna Charta Dames, First Baptist Church, and The Country Club of Virginia. The family would like to offer a special thanks to the ladies who were such a blessing to Mary for over 18 years. It was due to the loving care of Edythe Lewis, Betty Harris, Shirley Townes, and Hermione Otey that Mary was able to fulfill her wish of staying in her home during her later years. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, August 12 from 5:30 to 7pm at the Parham Chapel of Woody Funeral Home, 1771 N Parham Rd. A funeral service will be held in The Chapel of First Baptist Church at 10:30am, on Thursday, August 13, with a reception immediately following in the church dining hall. Burial will take place at the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to Needle’s Eye Ministries, 104 Berrington Ct. (23221), to Trinity Episcopal School, 3850 Pittaway Dr. (23235), or to the Dr. and Mrs. Emmett C. Mathews Technology Endowment Fund at Collegiate School, N. Mooreland Rd. (23229).