Athel Cabell Mathews

On Tuesday morning, August 29, 2023, God called Athel Cabell Mathews into eternal rest. She was born on October 10, 1959, to the late Robert and Ocie Cabell.

Athel accepted Christ at an early age and joined Bolling Hill Baptist Church where she became a member of the senior choir and sung with the junior choir. Additionally, Athel was the first and only female to join the Bolling Hill Men’s Chorus, where she elegantly expressed her baritone voice and musical talents. Athel loved singing and did so continuously around her home while completing her daily chores and while riding in her car or yours.

Athel attended Amherst County High School until the eleventh grade, withdrawing only to fulfill her duties as a new mother. Education was important to Athel and in early 2000, she returned to her studies and earned her high school diploma from Penn Foster. Athel retired from the Central Virginia Training Center in Madison Heights, Virginia and was recently employed part-time with Amherst County Public Schools, as a member of the cafeteria staff at Amelon Elementary School.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Reverend Robert Cabell, Jr. Athel leaves to cherish her memories and to continue her legacy, two sons, Alonzo Jermail Mathews of Amherst, Va. and Jeroid Montezs Mathews of Lynchburg, Va.; two grandchildren, Elijah Jadyn and Brooklyn Marie Mathews of Lynchburg, Va.; three sisters: Margie Miles (“Cisco”); Phyllis Jenkins (Terry); and, Lavern Cabell; her “adopted” children; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday, September 1, 2023 Tharp Funeral Home, Madison Heights.  A celebration of Athel’s life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 2, 2023, at Bolling Hill Baptist Church. Internment to follow at Bolling Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.

Athel loved her family, friends, and the Dallas Cowboys!

Tharp Funeral Home, Madison Heights  is assisting the family.