Barbara Ann Coxey Mathison

1953 - 2024

Barbara Ann Coxey Mathison

Barbara Ann Coxey Mathison passed away peacefully on October 1, 2024 surrounded by her family. Barbara was born on July 27, 1953 in Youngstown, Ohio to Donald R. Coxey and Mary Constance (Connie) Welsch Coxey Demlow. While an Ohioan by birth, Barbara moved with her family early in her life to Hollywood, Fla., where she spent her formative years growing up with her two sisters, Cathy Coxey Snow and Renee Sechler Coxey-Stavisky.

Barbara attended Schiller College in Bönnigheim, Germany and was an alumna of Flagler College in St. Augustine, Fla. In 1973, Barbara married Roger Wingate and they had two children together, Tiffany and Trevor. After a few years for the young family in Tampa, Fla., the Wingate family moved to St. Augustine, where Barbara was both devoted to her family and found time to pursue her passions and desire for adventure by working as a flight attendant, a real estate agent, and in the health food industry. In addition, she always found a way to make an impact in the broader St. Augustine community, including serving as a member of the Junior Women's Club. It was during this time in St. Augustine that Barbara truly blossomed into a role as "everybody's mother" and her home was where neighbors and children naturally gathered – something that would carry through the rest of her life.

In 1989, Barbara moved from St. Augustine and married Carl "Chuck" Mathison, Jr., an attorney and former president of the Palm Beach County Bar Association. Barbara and Chuck built a great life together as long-time residents of both Maggie Valley, N.C., and Singer Island, F.L. where they enjoyed all of the benefits of North Carolina summers in the mountains and Florida winters at the beach. The two traveled extensively all over the country, loved to play golf together, were loyal fans of the University of Florida and loved attending Gator football games.

Barbara continued what she started in St. Augustine and always knew how to make a house a home – both in North Carolina and Florida. As an example, Barbara meticulously restored their historic home on Singer Island that was eventually recognized on the Florida Register of Historic Places. Barbara filled these homes with love and made sure that everyone always had a great time. She was a fabulous cook that was well known for hosting family and friends. Her annual New Year's Day buffet was legendary, allowing Barbara's culinary skills to take center stage. She also loved to decorate for the holidays – Christmas and Halloween were her favorites – and she made sure to raise the bar each and every year with her holiday displays to the delight of her family and friends. In addition to being an outstanding host and cook, Barbara was also avid gardener. She had a green thumb to which her plants, flowers, and trees responded to her nurturing care. She even hugged trees, saying how she could feel their energy!

When not opening her home to family and friends, Barbara found the time to play an integral role in helping Chuck build a thriving law practice and sports agency. She was a natural in her role at the sports agency; she traveled extensively, opened her home to college athletes from around the country, and became a second mother and mentor to scores of young people that were pursuing their dream of becoming a pro athlete.

For the final chapter in a very full life, Barbara found a new passion, her two grandchildren. She had spent a lifetime as a loving and caring mother to her children, Tiffany and Trevor, a role that she embraced and filled until the end of her life. In her added role, she put that same energy, love, and effort into being Janú to her grandchildren. After spoiling them from both Florida and North Carolina, Barbara decided to move to Richmond, Va. to be closer to Joseph and Wesley and spoil them full time. She loved them dearly and was always at school and sporting events to support them and cheer them on. She took no greater pride than watching both boys develop into fine young men that she was extremely proud of.

Barbara's compassionate nature for others, her generous spirit, her willingness to help anyone and everyone who needed help, especially those who suffered illness, and her will to fight through a devastating bout with cancer serve as an inspiration to others who live by Matthew (7:12).

Barbara was predeceased by her parents; and her husband of twenty-five years, Chuck Mathison. She is survived by her daughter, Tiffany W. Conner (Joe); her son, Trevor L. Wingate; two grandchildren, Joseph H. Conner IV and Wesley J. Conner, all of Richmond, Va.; two sisters, Cathy Snow of Macon, Ga., and Renee Coxey-Stavisky; and her niece, Anna Coxey-Stavisky of Richmond, Va.; and nieces and nephews, Kristen and Kevin Cook, Robby and Savannah Morelli, Samantha and Paige Rotne, and Ian Mathison.

The family will receive friends 6:30 to 8 p.m., Thursday, October 10th at Bliley's Central Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Friday, October 11th at St. Bridget Catholic Church. A graveside service will take place at a later date in Greenhill Cemetery in Waynesville, N.C.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Box 843042, Richmond, VA 23284-3042 or online at https://www.support.vcu.edu/give/Massey