Mayton, Lelia Thompson

Miss Lelia Thompson Mayton, 70, of Blacksburg, Va., died in a Richmond hospital on Sunday, July 11, 2010, of cardiac arrest, following four months hospitalization for complications of cancer surgery. She was a retired Virginia Cooperative Extension Service home economist. She was born in Crewe, Va., on March 21, 1940, and was the daughter of Joseph Herbert Mayton and Gertrude Green Mayton who predeceased her.

Miss Mayton is survived by her brother, Colonel Joseph H. Mayton Jr. (United States Army, Retired) and his wife, Sally Tod Pottage Mayton, of Crewe; her nephews, Joseph H. Mayton Ill and wife, Brandi LeMahieu Mayton, of Ferndale, Mich., and Mark Tod Mayton and wife, Kristen Tomayko Mayton, of Clearwater, Fla.; an aunt, Mrs. L. Carter Mayton, of Charlotte, N.C.; and several cousins.

Miss Mayton graduated from Crewe High School and attended James Madison College (now James Madison University), graduating with a B.S. in Home Economics in 1962. She later earned an M.S. in Adult Education and Continuing Education from Virginia Tech. Following teaching home economics for two years in Prince William County, she joined the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service as a Home Economist/Agent.

She served in Appomattox County for seven years, then transferred to Montgomery County where she served for more than 25 years, retiring in 1996. During her career she touched the lives of hundreds of Virginia residents through 4-H and home demonstration clubs, as well as extensive professional contacts.

She was a member of the National Association of Extension Home Economists and served a term as president of the Virginia state chapter. She was a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees.

Following retirement, she traveled extensively and participated in numerous civic and charitable activities in the Blacksburg area. She served for many years as President, Haymarket Square Homes Association. Miss Mayton was an accomplished artist, especially focusing on rural scenes and horticulture. She was a devoted Virginia Tech Hokie fan, enjoying season tickets for football and men’s and women’s basketball for many years.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 17, 2010, at Crewe Baptist Church with the Reverend Doctor Ben Powers, pastor of the Crewe Baptist Church and the Reverend Christopher Cunningham, rector of Johns Memorial Episcopal Church, Farmville, Va., officiating. Her body will lie-in-state at Crewe Baptist Church for one hour preceding the funeral service. Burial beside her parents and grandparents will follow at the St. Mark’s Cemetery in rural Nottoway County, south of Crewe. A memorial service will be held in Blacksburg at a later date for her friends, professional and Virginia Tech associates.

Memorials may be made in Miss Mayton’s honor to Virginia Tech or to the Crewe Baptist Church. Arrangements are by Jennings Macmillan Funeral Home, Crewe, Va.