Adrienne Carol Mathews

Adrienne was born in Clarksburg, West Virginia on March 11, 1939 to Adrian Fogg and Marbia Westfall Fogg. She was the oldest of six children and became like a second mother to them through the years after her father passed when she was just five years old. Her gentle spirit and nurturing personality can be attributed to walking with God from an early age. As the harshness of life has a way of doing, she had to leave home when she was 15, living with extended family for a short time, before reuniting with her mother in Florida.

Adrienne graduated from high school in Tampa, Florida and met her husband of 60+ years, Robert “Bob” Mathews. They were married on June 27, 1959. Blessed with four children, she was wholly and happily dedicated to caring for her family all her life. After losing her oldest child and only son to a rare illness when he was five years old, it understandably changed her world forever. Through the grace and power of Jesus, she was able to come through that time and live vibrantly in the beautiful life God had planned for her.

When Adrienne’s two youngest daughters reached school-age, she began working in administration for an owner of six McDonald’s locations. She flourished in a new way that caregiving never required, though her family was always her number one priority. It’s safe to say that Adrienne was the hub of her extended family and friends too. Her caring and laid-back personality drew people in and kept them wanting to be by her side. Some of her daughters' ex-boyfriend’s continued to contact her long after their girlfriend’s had moved on. She had a beautiful personality that welcomed everyone just as they were, emulating the example of her Savior, Jesus.

In retirement, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren were the crowning glory of her life. Always young at heart and fun-loving, Adrienne was at the peak of her joy in life when she was with them. Scattered across the country, she had a way of keeping special relationships with them though they did not always get to be together in person. Reading this obituary about Adrienne may give the impression she was an angel on earth (which most of us do believe), however, she would be the first to say she wasn’t. She was able to be who she was not because of what she did or didn’t do, but by what Jesus Christ did for her (and all of us) on the cross. Through Him, we have the blessed hope of seeing our precious Adrienne again and spending eternity together.

Adrienne is preceded in death by her parents, her son Robbie, her husband Bob and her brother Eddie Ray. She is survived by her sister Brenda, her brother Gary Wayne (Chula), her sister Suzanne, her brother Herb (Jackie); her daughters Marla (Gregg), Andrea (Mike), and Sharon; 7 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren; her goddaughter, Krystal; as well as many beloved and cherished nieces and nephews.

There will be a small graveside service on Sunday, November 2, 2025 at 3:00pm at Blount & Curry Garden of Memories, 4207 E. Lake Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33610. In addition, a celebration of life “party” will be held on or around her birthday in March 2026. Details will be available in the New Year. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in her name can be made to stjude.org.