Mathews, R. Lloyd

Local historian and land surveyor R. Lloyd Mathews died Sunday, February 8, at the age of 91. Born October 30, 1923, in Lynchburg, VA, Lloyd was one of six children born to James Oscar and Eva Lynwood Evans Mathews.

In addition to his parents, Lloyd was preceded in death by his loving wife of 64 years, Geraldine Millirons Mathews; his four brothers, including Thomas Mathews of Lynchburg, George Mathews of South Hill, James Mathews of Roanoke, and Clarence Mathews of Roanoke; and his sister Ruby Mathews Millirons of Bland County.

He is survived by his two daughters, Carolyn Mathews of Newbern and Joanne Mathews and her husband William Flanagan of Bridgewater, MA; and grandchildren Allison Sylvester of Philadelphia, PA and Dylan Sylvester of Bridgewater, MA. In addition, he leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews, friends, and colleagues.

Lloyd served in the United States Marine Corps in the Pacific Theater during WWII. Upon his return he studied engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, received his surveying license in 1950, and established his own surveying business where he worked until his retirement in 1992. From 1956 until 1971 he also worked for the Town of Pulaski as the Town Engineer and then Director of Public Works; while with the Town, he oversaw many critical projects including the construction of Gatewood Reservoir, the Armory, the Sewage Treatment Plant, and the construction of the Municipal Building.

Lloyd was recognized as local historian, having worked with the Wilderness Road Regional Museum and the New River Historical Society since 1980, and with the Pulaski County Jamestown 2007 Committee and the Courthouse Exhibits Committee. During the 1970s and 80s, he participated in the outdoor historical drama The Long Way Home.

He was an accomplished writer; his publications included Poems for Rainy Nights, The History of the Pulaski Railway Station, Old Courthouse Stories, and Pulaski County, Virginia: An Historic and Descriptive Sketch 1907-2007, a book commissioned by the county’s Jamestown 2007 Committee. From 1977 until the present, readers have looked forward to his weekly column “Looking Back with Lloyd Mathews” in The Southwest Times where he chronicled local stories based on history from the area.

He was an avid fan of Virginia Tech sports. A member of Jordan’s Chapel United Methodist Church, he served over 40 years as church treasurer, sang in the choir, and taught Sunday School.

The family will receive visitors at Seagle Funeral Home in Pulaski on ­Tuesday, February 10, 4-7 PM, and at Jordan’s Chapel United Methodist Church, one hour prior to the funeral services. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, at 11:00 a.m. at Jordan’s Chapel United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Scott Robertson-Gouge officiating. Interment will follow in Thornspring Cemetery, where military honors will be provided.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Lloyd’s memory to Jordan’s Chapel United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1626, Pulaski, VA 24301 or to the Wilderness Road Regional Museum, P.O. Box 373, Newbern, Virginia 24126.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.seaglefuneralhome.com Arrangements by Seagle Funeral Home, Pulaski. 540-980-1700.