Eunice McKeithan Mottley, 93

Published 5:25 pm Tuesday, June 9, 2015

JUNE 9 — Eunice McKeithan Mottley, 93, formerly from Burkeville, entered rewards of glory on Saturday, June 6, 2015. She was born in Hoke County, NC. She graduated from East Carolina Teacher’s College (now East Carolina University) with a degree in Home Economics. She taught school until she married William Wirt Mottley, of Burkeville, in 1945 and moved to Virginia. They raised four children on their farm in Nottoway County.

Mrs. Mottley had a long career as a Home Demonstration Agent with the Extension Service, primarily in Prince Edward County. As an Extension Agent, she worked with the local homemaker’s clubs, teaching classes in sewing, canning and preserving, chair caning, personal finance, and many other valuable skills. She worked extensively with the 4-H clubs, fostering the development of youth life skills.

She was instrumental in launching numerous local events, several of which continue today, such as the Heart of Virginia Festival, the Christmas Show, and the Farmer’s Market in Farmville.  Mrs. Mottley was a vibrant, generous woman, and loving wife and mother. She was very active and a faithful member of Bethel United Methodist Church in Jetersville and led many of the women’s ministries. After retirement, she continued to be active, buying and selling antiques and collectables. She remained on the farm until 2013 when they moved to Richmond.

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Mrs. Mottley is survived by her brother, Cecil McKeithan (Mary Ellen); sons, Robert Neil Mottley (Janice) of Burkeville, Keith Allen Mottley (Linda) of North Chesterfield, and Earl William Mottley (Susan) of Charlottesville; daughter, Margaret Mottley Oleksa (Joseph) of Henrico; six grandchildren, Lisa Mottley Burns (Eric), Robert Neil Mottley (Melissa) Jr., William Clayton Mottley (Lindsay), Charles Bruce Mottley, Christina Mottley Dore (Benjamin), and Lawrence William Oleksa, and seven great-grandchildren, Robert Evan Burns, Caitlyn Renee Mottley, William Howard Mottley, Cameron Noelle Mottley, William Chase Mottley, Victoria Taylor Dore, and Atticus William Dore.

Family will receive friends Thursday, June 11 from 6 – 8 p.m. at Puckett Funeral Home.

Interment will be held Friday, June 12 at 9:30 a.m. at Trinity Memorial Gardens, Rte. 460, Farmville. A memorial service will be held following interment at 11 a.m. at Bethel United Methodist Church, 6800 South Genito Road, Jetersville.

Memorial contributions may be made to Bethel United Methodist Church, c/o June Sura, 472 Pines Lane, Rice, VA 23966.

Puckett Funeral Home, Farmville, is serving the family. www.puckettfh.com