Virginia May (Bell) Matherly

Virginia May Bell Matherly, 92, of Ringgold, passed away peacefully on July 5, 2020.  Virginia was born to the late William T. Bell and Mattie Skaggs Bell in Green County Kentucky on February 19, 1928.  The family moved to New Berlin, Illinois in 1934 where she resided for 60 years.  She graduated from New Berlin High School Class of 1946.  On September 12, 1947 she married Thomas Matherly and three years later started a family.  For over 10 years she covered local events for the town newspaper The New Berlin Bee.  Later Virginia was employed by the State of Illinois at the Old State Capitol in Springfield.  She served as a Historical Site Interpreter where she developed close lifelong friendships with co-workers.  After 20 years of service for the state, she retired and moved to the beautiful northwest Georgia mountains. 

Virginia was a very gentle, loving and beautiful lady.  She had a special place in her heart for many stray animals and nurtured many pets throughout her lifetime.  Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, brother William J. Bell, nephew Richard “Ricky” Simpson, ex-husband Thomas Matherly, daughter Sheila Matherly-Hinton, sister Margaret Bell Simpson, and niece Sonjia Simpson Jaurbe.

Left to cherish her lovely memory are her son Thomas Matherly, Jr., daughter Melissa Matherly-Christopher (Dave), and several very special nieces and nephews in Florida who affectionately called her “Aunt Tootsie”.   

There will be a private memorial service for mom at a later date.

Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home & Crematory, Battlefield Parkway

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