Clemmer Eugene Matheny, 1930-2002

  The Rev. Clemmer E. Matheny went to be with the Lord on Oct. 1, 2002. He was born on Oct. 25. 1930, in Waynesboro, the son of the late Russell Walls and Annis Loving Matheny. Feeling a strong call to serve the Lord he furthered his education at Ferrum College, Duke Divinity School, and Eastern Mennonite College.

  Clem began his ministerial career in the Virginia Methodist Conference in 1958 at Oak Hill, Lyndhurst. Subsequent pastorates served were Jollivue/Saint Stephen’s, Saint James/West Augusta in the Staunton District. Gordonsville/Barboursville in the Charlottesville District, Port Republic/Weyers Cave in the Harrisonburg District, Fields/Christ UMC in Shenandoah, Edgewater/Andrew Chapel in the Rappahannock District.

  As a participant in the Industrial and Commercial Ministries (ICM) he served Marval in Dayton and JC Penney in Harrisonburg. He also served as a youth counselor for Camp Overlook. Clem was ordained as a deacon (1966) and as an elder (1968). Following his ordination he served as pastor in 1970.

  After 38 years of service he retired in 1994, but he continued to serve his Lord whenever ask to fill in for other pastors. He preached his last sermon at Gordonsville Church for homecoming on Sunday, Sept. 30 and died two days later on Tuesday morning, Oct. 1. He served to the end. In every church he served there were those whose souls were touched in a special way by his sharing of God’s love. He cared for his church members as though he were a shepherd and they were his sheep. If you were not at church on Sunday he was out checking up on his lost sheep on Monday. His life touched many, and the love of God he shared still lives with these memories in our hearts and souls.

  He was married in 1950 to Charlotte Louise Diggs, who was the mother of his four children: Garry E. Matheny of Staunton, Richard W. Matheny of Staunton, Tina D. Matheny of Verona, and Mark S. Matheny of Waynesboro. After the death of his first wife, he married Linda Marshall Anderson in 1981. One brother preceded him in death, Russell T. Matheny. He is survived by a brother, Richard L. Matheny of Lyndhurst; a sister. Delores Ober of Richmond; three stepchildren: Lisa Newman, Kenneth Anderson, and Marshal Anderson; five grandchildren, one great-grandson, four step-grand children and seven step-great-grandchildren.

  Clem died on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2002, at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville after a massive heart attack. It has been said, "Sudden death is an expression of God’s mercy." Services were conducted by the Rev. Alton Washington, Staunton District superintendent, and the Rev. James Harris of Fishersville Church. Following the service, Clem’s physical remains were laid to rest in the Augusta Memorial Park Cemetery as his soul was commended to God. His death has left a void in our lives, but the memories will live forever.