Marilyn Hostetter Mathews

Born on August 18, 1933 in Glen Wilton, VA. She was the daughter of the late Claude McCoy Hostetter and Lettie Broughman Hostetter. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Robert B. “Joe” Mathews, a brother Maxwell Hostetter and a sister Betty Story.

She was a member of Amelon United Methodist Church. Marilyn graduated from Madison Heights High School in 1952. After high school, she spent most of her working years at Chap Stick Corp and Taylor Brothers Inc, retiring from Taylor Brothers after 29 years of service in 1997. Marilyn's hobbies included riding her beloved horse, Cherokee, playing golf, bowling, gardening, attending Red Hat Club meetings, and following NASCAR.

She became an avid golfer and spent a lot of time playing golf with her husband, friends and in a league as a member of Winton Country Club. She loved her yard and created numerous and beautiful gardens adorned with specially selected flowers, statuaries, benches and bird feeders. She loved shopping for special hats and scarves to wear to her Red Hat meetings. She followed NASCAR races and especially liked drivers Richard and Kyle Petty and Dale Earnhart Jr. and Sr.

Marilyn and Joe loved the beach and spent many vacations with family members at Myrtle and Outer Banks beaches. Her very first airplane flight was to visit family in Idaho. As much as Marilyn enjoyed visiting new places, her favorite place was her home. She used her skill for decorating to create rooms and gardens of beauty, style and elegance. She was a loving wife, a devoted sister and sister-in-law, and a nurturing aunt to her siblings' children and their families.

Her devoted sisters, Trudy Beard (George), Judy Campbell, Linda Baber (Joseph), Wilma “Lee” Reith, and Phyllis Bruce survive Marilyn. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Whitten Monelison Chapel with Pastor Allan Monfils officiating. The family will receive friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 8180 Greensboro Drive, Suite 400, McLean VA 22102.

The Family would like to thank the staff at The Elms in Lynchburg and Gentle Shepherd Hospice Care in Roanoke for giving Marilyn loving and gentle care.