Irene Mathews

Irene Wright Mathews, 88, of Wytheville died Monday, Oct. 22, 2008. Funeral service will be held Thursday, Oct. 23, at 11 a.m. at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church with the Revs. Norman Wilhoit and Jeff Callahan officiating. Interment will follow in the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church Cemetery. She was born April 1, 1920, in West Virginia, daughter of the late Clarence and Myrtle Spraker Wright. She was a member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Luther Akers; second husband, James Mathews; a son, W.L. "Bill" Akers Jr.; an infant daughter; a sister, Mary Rash; and two brothers, John Wright and J.B. Wright. Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Randy Geiger of Woodland. Mich.; three grandchildren, Jill Geiger and finance Josh Ketchum of Michigan, Debra Akers of Suffolk and David Akers of Blacksburg; five sisters, Katherine McRoberts of Max Meadows, Betty Ashford, Josephine Dalton, Agnes Reynolds and Janice Horton, all of Wytheville; brother-in-law, Dennis Aker of Wytheville; special neighbor and friend, Linda Jones; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Barnett Funeral Home or any time at the residence. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to the Lead Mines Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 502, Austinville, VA 24312; or Hospice of Southwest Virginia, 600 West Ridge Road, Wytheville, VA 24382. Barnett Funeral Home in Wytheville is in charge of the arrangements.